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/ 


PETROLIA 





A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE 


PENNSYLVANIA PETROLEUM REGION, 


ITS DEVELOPMENT, GROWTH ., RESOURCES, ETC., 
FROM 18 5 9 TO 18 6 9. 


BY 

ANDREW CONE AND WALTER R. JOHNS. 

7 • 


EDITED BY WALTER R. JOHNS. 




NEW YORK: 

APPLETON AND COMPANY, 
90, 92 & 94 GRAND STREET. 


1870 . 




Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 18C9, by 
ANDREW CONE & WALTER R. JOHNS, 

In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States, 
for the Western District of Pennsylvania. 




PREFACE. 




To give, in brief and comprehensive form, a com¬ 
pilation or continuous history, as it were, of the great 
Petroleum development of Pennsylvania, from its com¬ 
mencement to the present date, together with the prin¬ 
cipal local and general features relating to the same, 
is the object of this work. ISTo pains have been spared 
to make it complete in all the details treated of. 

The extent of the development, its progress from 
year to year, description of each farm and locality 
where the same has taken place, mode of mining, and 
of all branches of the business, have a peculiar value to 
the oil operator of the present day, and can hardly fail 
to interest the general reader. This compilation will 
also serve to furnish considerable reliable data for a 
commercial basis of the present vast business. The 
record Ave present in as complete a form as it has been 
possible to make it. 

The ancient and modern history of Petroleum have 
been compiled from reliable sources. Such facts as 
modern chemistry and geology furnish are given. 



iv 


PREFACE. 


To those engaged in the Petroleum trade generally 
we are grateful for valuable information furnished, as 
well as the hearty endorsement given to the general 
plan of our work. 

Such as it is, we present it to the consideration of 
the general public, confident that the almost universal 
desire to ascertain a correct estimate of the value, ex 
tent of resources, and general features of the Pennsyl¬ 
vania Petroleum Region, can be, in a great measure, 
gratified from its perusal. 

The details of the principal oil farms, collected at 
intervals, from the commencement of the development, 
were compiled to date of June, 1866. The develop¬ 
ment that has taken place from that date to January 
1st, 1869, forms the concluding portion of the same 
chapter. 

For the photographs of the illustrations, we are un¬ 
der obligations to Wilt Brothers, of Franklin, Pennsyl¬ 
vania, A. D. Deming, Oil City, and J. H. Mather, of Ti¬ 
tusville, Pennsylvania. 


CONTENTS. 


FAGK 

CHAPTER I.—Introductory. 9 

CHAPTER II.—Petroleum—Its History, Ancient and Mod¬ 
ern. 20 

CHAPTER III.—Early History of the Pennsylvania Petro¬ 
leum Region. 39 

CHAPTER IV.—Dawning of the Era of Artificial Light. 46 

CHAPTER V.—Commencement and Growth of the Petro¬ 
leum development. 69 

CHAPTER VI.—Geology and Physical Features of the Petro¬ 
leum Region. 88 

CHAPTER VII.—Transportation—Early and Later Modes 

of.. 96 

CHAPTER VIII.—Method of Petroleum Development—Bor¬ 
ing Oil Wells. 116 

CHAPTER IX.—Obstacles met with in Boring Oil Wells, 

and How Overcome. 138 

CHAPTER X.—Pumping and Flowing. 146 

CHAPTER XI.—Various Phenomena of the Oil Wells. 155 

CHAPTER XII.—Theories of the Origin of Petroleum. 173 

CHAPTER XIII.—Social Characteristics of the People of the 

Petroleum Region. 189 

CHAPTER XIV.—Oil Farms of the Petroleum Region. 194 

CHAPTER XV.—Flood, Fire, and Financial Disaster.528 

CHAPTER XVI.—General Description of Coal, Bituminous 
Clays, Bitumen, Petroleum—Table of Volatile Matter, 

Coke, Crude Oil from Coals, &c. 542 

CHAPTER XVII.—The Principal Cities and Towns of the 

Petroleum Region. 562 

CHAPTER XVIII.—Method of Refining and the Refining 

Interest. 573 

CHAPTER XIX.—General Results of the Petroleum Devel¬ 
opment—Statistical, &c. 586 
























' 














ILLTJ STKATIOZST S. 


No. 1.— Feontispiece— 

Vignettes—Drake Veil—Modern Derrick—Iron 
Tanks—Burning "Well on Allegheny Biver. 

No. 2 to 5.—Drilling Tools and Well Machinery. 

“ 6.—View of Well ready to commence drilling 
“ 7.—Wells drilling and pumping. 

“ 8.—Pumping Well in operation. 

u 9.—Phillips and Woodford Flowing Wells—Tarr Farm. 
10.—Early Mode of Transportation—Mouth of Oil Creek 
in time of high water. 

“ 11.—Pond Freshet Jam at mouth of Oil Creek, May, 1864. 
“ 12.—View at Pleasantville in 1868. 



























PETROL IA. 


CHAPTER I. 

INTRODUCTORY. 

The material wealth, and consequent prosperity, of a 
nation, can be estimated by the extent and richness of 
its mineral resources. Taking it for granted, that the 
assertion is correct, how almost limitless seems the min¬ 
eral wealth of the vast American continent. Within its 
boundaries are embraced inexhaustible deposits of almost 
every mineral product used in arts and manufactures, 
or required by the commercial world. Coal, iron, gold, 
silver, lead, exist in vast quantity, over large portions 
of the country, as well as many other minerals of lesser 
note. The extent or area of the American coal field, is 
asserted to be eight times larger than all the other coal 
deposits of the world, extending from the Allegheny to 
the Rocky Mountains. 

Though scarce half a century has elapsed since the 
commencement of the working of these mineral depos¬ 
its, the rate of progress has been so great, that the 
amount of their production at the present time sur¬ 
passes that of other countries, where the same have 
been actively worked for centuries. In our own fa¬ 
vored land, it would seem, has an ever bountiful Provi¬ 
dence deposited the great reserve, in quantity abundant, 
for the wants of a population many times greater than 



10 


PETROLIA. 


the present world can now boast of, for countless ages 
yet to come. 

Coal to supply heat, and iron, so indispensable to 
the wants of civilization, have heretofore been consid¬ 
ered the most essential of the mineral products of the 
world. Co-equal with heat, in the necessities of the 
human race, is light. To supply this, beyond what is 
furnished by Nature’s God, the world, until within a 
few short years, has relied upon illuminating substances 
derived from both animal and vegetable products. 
The commencement of the development in Pennsyl¬ 
vania, during the year 1859, in large quantity, and the 
utilization of the mineral oil, kuown as Petroleum, com¬ 
bining in a super-eminent degree heat, and for illumin¬ 
ating purposes, furnishing the best and cheapest art¬ 
ificial light yet known, and its rapid adoptiou by all 
portions of the civilized world, created a revolution in 
the general branches of arts, manufactures, and domes¬ 
tic economy, that has seldom been equalled. 

The records of mining present no parallel to the 
rapid development of such vast resources as has char¬ 
acterized the American Petroleum. Scarcely ten years 
ago, the first artesian oil well was drilled in the Penn¬ 
sylvania Petroleum region. From this small beginning 
has sprang into existence a mining business, second 
only in extent and value to coal and iron. Scarcely in¬ 
augurated ere the commencement of the civil war, that 
for a time threatened to destroy our Government and 
unity, requiring all the patriotism and the resources of 
the country to subdue, and for the various years sub¬ 
jected, perhaps, to more depressing influences than has 
fallen to the lot of any other mineral development, the 
Petroleum business has borne up against adversity in 
every form, and to-day constitutes the third estate 
among the chief mineral products of our country. 


INTRODUCTORY. 


11 


A description of the extent, value, mode, and man¬ 
ner of mining the mineral resources of a country, can¬ 
not fail to prove of interest, not only to its own people, 
but also to the enlightened portion of the civilized 
world. Especially is this the case of a mineral product 
possessing such important and essential properties, and 
susceptible of such general utility, as Petroleum. All 
information, relating to the sources from whence are 
derived the basis of a nation’s wealth, has ever been 
eagerly sought for by the intelligent classes of man¬ 
kind. No mineral product of our country has become 
so widely and favorably known in so brief a period, as 
the one we treat of. Such facts as could be collected 
of the nature, extent of resources, manner and mode of 
development, its growth from year to year, and all mat¬ 
ters of practical interest connected therewith, are com¬ 
prised in the different pages of this work. Though not 
so full in some details as could be wished, the difficulty 
of arriving at conclusions relative to a substance drawn 
from a great depth beneath the earth, only visible when 
coming to the surface of the same, will be apparent to 
the intelligent reader. 

The presence of Petroleum, or rock oil, manifested 
itself to the earliest settlers in the several localities of 
the different States of America where it is now found. 
To the native Indians it had been known and used for 
so long a period that even their traditions fail to indi¬ 
cate its beginning, if indeed it ever had any, save with 
the Divine chemist himself, who has entire worlds for 
his laboratory. By the settlers and Indians it was used 
as a medicine, both for afflictions externally, and even 
internally, with highly beneficial effects. Beyond this 
no other use was discovered for the substance until its 
later development in the decadence of the present cen¬ 
tury. Petroleum proved a source of great annoyance 


12 


PETEOLIA. 


to the early salt miners. Its manifestations were some¬ 
times in the form of a highly volatile gas, that came out 
of the well, after the same had been drilled to a certain 
depth, with considerable force, and had a strong pun' 
gent odor, and in other instances in the shape or form 
of a dark-green oil. The substance in either case served 
to disgust the operators, and rendered the water of such 
wells unfit for manufacture. In subsequent years, the 
gas from these wells was used as fuel in the evapora¬ 
tion of salt, and answered the purpose admirably. The 
important part the product has performed, and service 
rendered to the civilized world, since its recent devel¬ 
opment, is so apparent as to need no elucidation from 
us. The attention of the public was especially directed 
to its utilization as an illuminator, in the years 1849 and 
1850, by Mr. Samuel W. Kier, of Pittsburgh, Pa., who 
in the latter year erected a small refinery, and com¬ 
menced its manufacture. The supply of the crude 
article was obtained from the salt wells of Mr. Kier, 
and others, at Tarentum, Allegheny county, a short 
distance from Pittsburgh, on the Allegheny river, 
where it had been previously discovered. The manufac¬ 
ture was necessarily limited in consequence of the scant 
supply. There being no oil wells as yet drilled, the oil 
was pumped out of the salt wells at the usual depth 
from which salt water was obtained. This discovery 
of an important use for the article, caused an extensive 
demand, and the obtaining of the crude material in 
larger quantities became requisite. Pits were sunk in 
various places where Petroleum manifested its presence 
on the surface of the ground. Oil collected in these, 
from whence it was taken out at stated seasons. 

The sinking of an artesian well, similar in most gen¬ 
eral respects to those of the salt regions, near Titusville, 
on the lands of the Pennsylvania Rock Oil Company, 


INTRODUCTORY. 


13 


by members of the same, was the first commencement 
of the present Petroleum development. The striking 
in August, 1850, in this well, of a vein of carburetted 
hydrogen gas, mingled with oil, at the depth of sixty- 
nine feet from the surface, yielding at the rate of 400 
gallons of oil per day, had the tendency to concentrate 
public attention to that particular locality. Hundreds 
of people from all parts of the country flocked into the 
Oil Region, then confined to the vicinity of Titusville, 
and commenced sinking of wells, similar to Colonel 
Drake’s. But few of the wells drilled in that imme¬ 
diate vicinity were successful in obtaining oil. The 
field of operations was soon extended, by the striking 
of good paying wells at various other points along the 
valley of Oil Creek, and along the Allegheny River. 

The first operators contented themselves with drilling 
to a moderate depth, where they obtained small pump¬ 
ing wells. The number of these increased rapidly until 
the latter part of 1860 and in 1861. About this time 
some reflective operator expressed the opinion that, as 
the supply of oil seemed to come from great depths be¬ 
low the earth’s surface, deeper wells would reach the 
main reservoir, or source of supply, and greater quanti¬ 
ties be obtained. The theory so opportunely stated, 
was soon put to a practical test. A well was drilled to 
the depth between 400 and 500 feet, and the “ third 
sandrock,” where the greatest supply has been found, 
was reached. The result of the experiment astonished 
the operator, and the world too, at least the business 
portion of it. When the operator’s drill penetrated the 
fissure or recess in the sand-rock, where the oil and gas 
had collected, the heavy drilling apparatus was hurled 
out of the aperture, it had forced through the earth, 
with terrific power, far above the top of the derrick, 
upon the surface. The drilling apparatus was soon fob 


14 


PETROLIA. 


lowed by a stream of gas and oil, the force of which 
was so great, as to prevent the operators, for several 
days, from introducing into the well the necessary iron 
tubing, or pipe for it to flow through. After a time 
this was done, and the well flowed steadily, for not 
only days and weeks, but even for months, at the rate 
of hundreds of barrels of oil per day. During 1861 and 
1862, a number of these large wells were struck, some 
of them yielding at the rate of from 3,000 to 4,000 bar¬ 
rels per day. This sudden increase of the product had 
the effect to lower the prices of the same to a mere 
nominal figure. The small pumping wells, by scores, 
Avere compelled to cease operations, the prices being 
too Ioav to merit their continuance. The first oil ob¬ 
tained from the Drake Well, sold for one dollar per 
gallon. During the two succeeding years, the price had 
fallen to fifty cents. In 1861, after the large flowing 
AY'ells had been struck, and began to pour forth thou¬ 
sands of barrels of oil per day, the price fell to fifteen 
and twenty cents per barrel at the Avells, and sales were 
made as Ioav as ten cents per barrel. In 1861, and the 
commencement of 1862, a number of refineries were 
built along Oil Creek, and in various parts of the coun¬ 
try, for the refining of Petroleum, and a large amount 
of oil was shipped to Europe. 

Though the small wells, in great numbers, Avere 
abandoned as unprofitable, the development continued 
unabated, and the oil producing region was continually 
being enlarged by the striking or obtaining of neAV 
wells. While many of the early operators lost heavily 
on their first ventures, OAving to the slight production 
of their wells and Ioav prices, this fact did not prevent 
others from sinking new wells. An abiding faith in the 
future utilization of the product to a sufficient extent 
to consume the large supply, and enhance its value to a 


INTRODUCTORY. 


15 


paving figure, encouraged those engaged in the develop¬ 
ment. Each successive season found new parties to 
take the places of those who had become discouraged 
or been unfortunate. By the fall of 1861 , a large busi¬ 
ness had been built up. Hundreds of teams were em¬ 
ployed in the transportation of the oil from the different 
wells to the principal shipping points. From these lat¬ 
ter, the oil was conveyed, by means of flat-bottomed 
boats and barges, similar in shape to those of the Ohio 
and Mississippi, to Pittsburgh, the principal oil market. 
Various lines of railroad were also being projected 
into the Oil Region, having connection direct with the 
leading cities and sea-board. The low prices caused the 
introduction of the product, as an illuminator, to almost 
every portion of the civilized world, and its nature and 
uses were rapidly becoming universally known. 

Great indeed was the tide that flowed into the Oil 
Region during the first years of the development of its 
marvellous resources. The governing principle of man¬ 
kind, rapid acquisition of wealth, was here apparently 
presented, greater in degree of certainty than lias ever 
before been offered to the cupidity of man. In almost 
unending phalanx, came the devoted pilgrims to wor¬ 
ship at the greasy Mecca. Every State, and almost 
every country had its representatives in the land of 
oil. FTo sacrifice was too great to make, in order to 
raise the necessary capital to obtain a lease in the mod¬ 
ern Ophir, sink a well, and secure a fortune, all within 
ninety days from the date of the commencement of the 
fascinating task. It was not a business that required 
years of training, and ample experience to succeed in. 
The chances of success were equal for all, and for once, 
Dame Fortune seemed impartial to her ardent worship¬ 
pers. The fortunate ones stumbled into good luck, as 
it were, because they could not help it, while the un- 


16 


PETROLIA. 


fortunate had an equal chance with those who out¬ 
stripped them in the race. But with singular consist¬ 
ency Fortune has since amply revenged herself for this 
seeming act of forgetfulness. The riches acquired dur¬ 
ing those early years remained but a brief time with its 
new owners. And even the fortunate few who retain 
their first acquisitions, have found it necessary to use 
the most strenuous efforts to keep the treasure so Avon. 
Amid the Avild rush for Avealth, no system or concert 
of action Avas possible. The devil take the hindmost, 
Avas the ruling characteristic. The result can be easily 
foreseen. California first, and the gold and silver 
regions of our territories on the Pacific slope afterward, 
afford ample parallels, which, it was hoped, would act 
as beacons of warning to men. Thousands who made 
their first venture here, were ruined, and many a com¬ 
fortable household reduced to penury and Avant. A 
volume could be Avritten of the heroic struggles of the 
early operators, but Avliat would it avail. Life’s daily 
battle furnishes examples in abundance, in every pur¬ 
suit, and in general respects similar. The lesson learned 
Avas a severe one, but the danger was ventured into 
understandingly. We haA r e no desire to enact the part 
of Old Mortality to the “ slain, Avounded, and missing,” 
Avho fell on the first skirmish line, any further than to 
shoAV the extent of their mining operations. The Pe¬ 
troleum excitement of 18C1 culminated in the Spring 
and Summer of 1865, the grand era of the Oil Stock 
Companies.. 

The general appearance of the Oil country in the Fall 
of 1861, was one of unexampled activity. The valley 
of Oil Creek then formed the only producing locality 
of any consequence. IJpon this narrow valley, scarcely 
sixty rods in Avidth in its broadest part, from Oil City 
to the Sherman well, a distance of about ten miles, 


INTRODUCTORY. 


IT 


were clusters and continuous lines of tall pyramidal oil 
derricks, engine houses, and board shanties, presenting 
the appearance of a town of that length. The sites of 
the several towns along Oil Creek had just been pro¬ 
jected, and the building of the same commenced. For 
this whole distance all was bustle and activity. The 
large flowing wells were spouting forth, like huge 
whales, their greasy treasure, with a noise similar to 
the scape-pipe of a steamer heading against a swift cur¬ 
rent. Tall derricks arose on every hand, and amid the 
smoke and din were hundreds of men busily employed 
in the various occupations. The derricks, drilling 
machinery, <fcc., was the same in general respects, as is 
now employed, being copied from that used by the 
early salt miners, except that it was not so heavy, 
the wells then drilled being of a shallow depth. The 
weight of the drilling apparatus averaged from 300 to 
GOO pounds. 

The first of the flowing wells was the Burning 
Well, on the John Buchanan farm, on Oil Creek, which 
commenced producing in April, 1861. The gas and oil, 
which was forced up a great distance in the air from 
the time that the drill penetrated the crevice containing 
it, caught fire from a neighboring engine in a short time 
after it was struck. In the explosion that followed, 
some twenty-five to thirty persons lost their lives. The 
Philips well, on the Tarr farm, was also one of the 
wonders of this period. When first struck, the produc- 
ion of this famous well averaged between three and four 
thousand barrels of oil per day. The sight was one of 
of a life-time. From the mouth of the conducting pipe 
the oil and gas came forth with terrific power, pro¬ 
pelled by nature’s hydraulic forces. The oil, of a beau¬ 
tiful dark olive-green, was dashed into spray against the 
side of the huge receiving tank, forming a prism of 


18 


PETROLIA. 


colors, rainbow in hue, resplendent in the sun’s rays, 
and beautiful beyond description. Here, indeed, was 
the rock pouring forth a fountain of oil, enriching the 
fortunate owners, and giving a stimulus to operators 
throughout the entire oil region. The depth of the 
Philips well is 480 feet, and proved one of the largest 
oil veins tapped in the Oil Region, having produced to 
date of October, 1865, upwards of 300,000 barrels of 
oil. Though afterwards flooded by the Woodford, the 
well never wholly ceased producing, and is still a pay¬ 
ing well, producing from twenty to fifty barrels per 
day by pumping. The Empire well, on the MTlhenny 
farm, was another of the leviathans in operation at the 
time spoken of, being fully as great in production as the 
Philips. The Sherman, Blood, and many others, all 
flowing over 1,000 barrels per day, were in full opera¬ 
tion. 

By teams and by beats the oil was transported from 
the wells to the various shipping points. Every road 
was thronged with the oil wagons, and the surface of 
the Creek covered with oil boats. At the different 
shipping points a similar scene of activity was pre¬ 
sented. By such incessant use the soft alluvial soil, 
composing the road-beds, became almost impassable. 
Through mud, nearly unfathomable, the drivers urged 
their jaded animals. The oil-boats were towed up the 
creek by horse-power, and when laden at the wells, 
came down by the force of the current in times of 
natural water, or on pond freshets. Amid this moving, 
living panorama of oil wells, derricks, gushing fountains 
of oil, busy machinery, mud, wealth, energy, and indus¬ 
try, so wonderful to behold, of human hopes and ulti¬ 
mate successes, sufficiently varied to suit all the vagaries 
of the ordinary imagination, was budding forth the 
germ of the mighty Petroleum business of to-day, rank- 


INTRODUCTORY. 


19 


ing next to coal and iron in magnitude among the min¬ 
eral resources of our country. 

It required no great stretch of the imagination to 
foresee the future that has since been so rich in its 
fruition ; of the advent of railroads, conveying the 
oil in pipes ; of immense iron tanks for holding it; the 
employment of a vast ocean fleet, whose sails whiten 
every sea, and are in every clime. Of the extent, 
resources, and different subjects relating to Petroleum, 
we propose to give the reader an idea in the subsequent 
pages. After taking the journey, he may feel as we 
did, on the occasion of our first glimpse of the oil coun¬ 
try, that, though we had seen more inviting abiding 
places, yet had never beheld one presenting a better 
chance to make one’s first million in, and thus start 
fairly on the road to comfortable affluence. 


CHAPTER II. 


\ 


PETROLEUM—ITS HISTORY—ANCIENT AND MODERN* 

Various authorities, ancient and scriptural, make 
mention or allude to Petroleum iu some of its forms, 
from which it may be inferred that its uses were known 
to those who lived in the earliest periods of civilization. 
The name is said to be derived from the Greek words, 
Petros and JElaion , signifying, Rock Oil. In ancient 
days it was more commonly found in the form of asphal 
turn than in any other, and its first use of which we can 
find any record, was as mortar or cement for masonry. 
It has been found in a great variety of forms, and used 
for a number of purposes, and in all has been an article 
of general utility. It is defined, as now found, by mod¬ 
ern science, as follows : 

“ Petroleum is a mixture of hydro-carbons of vari¬ 
ous compositions, all free from oxygen. It is an oleagin¬ 
ous fluid of a brownish or greenish color ; has a strong 
and peculiar odor; feels smooth and greasy between 
the fingers ; does not congeal at low temperatures, and 
burns with bright but very smoky flame. It varies 
greatly in density, all the way from 20° to 57° Beaume, 
and is divided into tw^o classes, the heavier, or those 
below 35° being designated and used as lubricating 
oils, for oiling machinery, and the lighter, or those 
above 35°, as illuminating oils, from which are manu¬ 
factured the refined oils. The general appearance and 
properties of the two classes are the same.” 


ITS HISTORY. 


21 


The following scriptural references are made to Pe¬ 
troleum : 

Deuteronomy xxxii., 13 : “ And he made him to 
suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty 
rock.” 

Job xxxix., 6 : “ And the rock poured me out rivers 
of oil.” 

Micah vi., 7 : “ Will the Lord be pleased with thou¬ 
sands of rams, or ten thousand of rivers of oil.” 

Genesis xiv., 10 : “ The vale of Siddim was full of 
slime pits.” 

Mention is made of its use in the building of the 
ancient city of Babylon. Herodotus, the celebrated 
historian, says, in this connection: “ Digging a fosse 
or ditch, the earth which was cast up they formed into 
bricks, and desiring large ones, they burned them in 
furnaces, using for lime or mortar, hot asphaltas, or 
bitumen.” He further relates that this bitumen was 
brought from the river Is, a tributary of the Euphrates. 

Cartwright, a traveller of the last century, speaks 
of this same river Is, as follows: “ From the ruins of 
old Babylon, we came to a town called Ait (the mod¬ 
ern Heet), near unto which town is a valley of pitch, 
very marvellous to behold, and things almost incredi¬ 
ble, wherein are many springs, throwing out abun¬ 
dantly a kind of black substance, like unto tar or pitch, 
which serveth all the countries thereabouts, to make 
staunch their barks and boats, every one of which 
springs, makes a noise like a smith’s forge, which never 
ceaseth night or day, and the noise is heard a mile off 
swallowing up all weighty things that come upon it.” 

A later traveller, Mr. Rich, says : “ The principal bi¬ 
tumen pit at Heet has two sources, and is divided by 
a wall in the centre, on one side of which the bitumen 
bubbles up, and on the other, the oil of naphtha.” 


22 


PETKOLIA. 


Curtius, Diodorus, Siculus, Bocliart and Josephus, 
all speak of bitumen as forming a constituent of the 
mighty walls, lofty towers, and pensile gardens of Baby- 
Ion, that were the wonder of the world. 

Layard, in his “ Nineveh and Babylon,” gives the 
following account of a bitumen pit on fire, which will 
compare in general respects with many of the scenes 
witnessed on Oil Creek. He says : “ Tongues of flame 
and jets of gas driven from the burning pit, shot 
through the murky canopy. As the fire heightened, a 
thousand fantastic forms of light played amid the 
smoke. ' In an hour the bitumen was exhausted for the 
time, the dense smoke gradually died away, and the 
pale light of the moon shone over the black slime-pit.” 

Kerr Porter, and other modern travellers to As¬ 
syria, state that in many place bituminous and naphtha 
wells exist, and that in the remains of the famous tower 
of Ackerouf, near the ruins of Bagdad, in ancient Chal¬ 
dea, cotemporary with the tower of Babel, the very 
reeds mixed with this material, are still preserved, 
although the brick and stone-work has almost fallen in 
to dust. 

After the lapse of thirty-five centuries, with all that 
time could accomplish in corroding and destroying the 
work of man, the remains of these Petroleum cemented 
walls and towers exist, and are looked on by moderns. 
Fragments of bricks, with the asphaltum still clinging 
to them, are still exhumed from the ruins of ancient 
cities. 

Says a late writer: “ The substance was used by 
the Egyptians, as early as history can furnish us the 
facts of the times. From the accounts at the close of 
the Book of Genesis, of the embalming of Jacob and 
Joseph, it is plain to infer that embalming was a com¬ 
mon process then, 1700 years before Christ.” Dr. Pet- 


ITS HISTORY. 


23 


tigrew in his history of “ Egyptian Mummies,” states, 
that many of the mummies he exhumed had the cavities 
of the bodies filled with asphaltum. A French writer, 
on the same subject, quoted by Pettigrew, says these 
were often immersed in liquefied pitch, a composition 
formed of common pitch and asphaltum. Modern re¬ 
search and observation would seem to confirm this 
assertion of the extensive use of Petroleum in the pro¬ 
cess of embalming. The color, the odor, the inflamma¬ 
ble nature of the mummy, all indicate its presence. The 
cerements, and even the body itself, are used by the 
wandering Arab as fuel, and modern travellers in those 
regions have used them for the same purpose. It was 
also used in the manufacture of the ancient papyrus, as 
an agglutinant, to prevent the attacks of insects, and 
the corroding effects of time. 

Thus it will be seen that from days so ancient that 
history would be unintelligible were it not for the light 
that has been shed from the Book of Books, a continu¬ 
ous history of the product is furnished down to modern 
times. On every continent, and on almost every island, 
it has been found, cropping out in some form or other, 
giving visible indications of its presence, and it has 
always occupied a prominent place in the arrangements 
of mankind, as an article of utility. In modern times 
Petroleum has been found in various parts of the 
world. 

In Northern Italy, in the Duchies of Parma and 
Modena, Petroleum has been extracted from the earth 
since its first discovery in 1640, the method pursued 
being merely to sink pits in the ground, and collect the 
oil that exudes from the soil, in little basins on the bot¬ 
tom of the pits. 

The Rangoon districts on the Irawaddy, in Burman, 
are quite wonderful for their immense production of 


24 


PETROLIA. 


Petroleum. For an unknown period tne whole Burman 
Empire, and a considerable portion of India, have been 
supplied with oil from this source. The trade is car¬ 
ried on by large boats that come down the Irawaddy 
to the town of Rainanghong, a place inhabited by pot¬ 
ters, who are constantly making the earthen jars in 
which the oil is kept. These are piled up in great pyr¬ 
amids about the town, ready for use. The wells are in 
beds of sandy clays, which rest on sand-stones or argil¬ 
laceous slates, and are sunk to the depth of sixty feet. 
Under the slates is said to be coal; but this and the 
other strata may be of the tertiary epoch. Symes’s 
“ Embassy to Ava” volume 2, states that the number 
of wells in this vicinity exceeded 520, and the annual 
yield of Petroleum was over 400,000 hogsheads. The 
natives use the oil in lamps, for preserving timber 
against insects, and as a medicine. 

Extracts from the Journal of John Crawford, Esq., 
F. It. /S'., F. L. /S'., F. G. /S'., do., Ambassador of 
the Governor General of India to the Court of 
Ava, in 1826. London : published for Henry Col¬ 
burn, 1834. 

Volume I., page 93. —At three in the afternoon, our 
whole party proceeded to the celebrated Petroleum 
wells. Those which we visited cannot be farther than 
three miles from the village, for we walked to them in 
forty minutes. The cart-road which leads to them is 
tolerably good, at least for a foot-traveller. The wells - 
altogether occupy a space of about sixteen square miles. 
The country here is a series of sand-hills and ravines, the 
latter torrents after a fall of rain, as we now experi¬ 
enced, and the former covered with a very thin soil or 
altogether bare. The trees, which were more numer¬ 
ous than we looked for, did not rise above twenty feet 


ITS HISTORY. 


25 


in height. The surface gave no indication, that we could 
detect, of the existence of the Petroleum. On the spot 
which we reached were eight or ten wells, and we ex¬ 
amined one of the best. The shaft was of a square 
form, and its dimensions about four feet to a side. It 
was formed by sinking a frame of wood, composed of 
beams of the Mimosa catechu, which affords a durable 
timber. Our conductor, a son of the Myosugi of the 
village, informed us that the wells were commonly from 
140 to 160 cubits deep, and their greatest depth in any 
case was 200. He informed us that the one we were 
examining was the private property of his father—that 
it was considered very productive, and that its exact 
depth was 140 cubits. We measured it with a good 
lead line, and ascertained its depth to be 210 feet; thus 
corresponding exactly with the report of our conductor, 
a matter which we did not look for, considering the 
extraordinary carelessness of the Burmans in all mat¬ 
ters of this description. A pot of oil being taken up, 
and a good thermometer being plunged into it, indicated 
a temperature of 90°. That of the air, when we left 
the ship, an hour before, was 82° To make the experi¬ 
ment perfectly accurate, we ought to have brought a 
second thermometer along with us, but this we neg¬ 
lected. We looked into one or two of the wells, and 
could discern the bottom. The liquid seemed as if boil¬ 
ing, but whether from the emission of gaseous fluids, 
or simply from the escape of the oil itself from the 
ground, we had no means of determining. The forma¬ 
tion where the wells are sunk, consisted of sand, loose 
sand-stone and blue clay. When the well is dug to a 
considerable extent, the laborers informed us that 
brown coal was occasionally found. Unfortunately, 
we could obtain no specimens of this mineral on the 
spot, but I afterward obtained some in the village. 

2 


26 


PETROLIA. 


The Petroleum itself, when taken out or tne well, is of 
a thin, watery consistence, but thickens by keeping, 
and in the cold weather it coagulates. Its color, at all 
times, is a dirty green, and not much unlike that of stag¬ 
nant water. It has a pimgent, aromatic odor, offensive 
to most people. The wells are worked by the simplest 
contrivance imaginable. There is over each well, a 
cross-beam, supported by two rude stanchions. At 
the centre of the cross-beam, and embracing it, is a hol¬ 
low revolving cylinder, with a channel to receive a drag- 
rope, to which is suspended a common earthen pot, that 
is let down into the well, and brought up full by the 
assistance of two persons pulling the rope down an in¬ 
clined plane by the side of the well. The contents of 
the pot are deposited for the time in a cistern. Two 
persons are employed in receiving the oil, making the 
whole number of persons engaged on each well only 
four. The oil is carried to the village or ports in carts, 
drawn by a pair of bullocks , each cart conveying from 
ten to fourteen pots of ten viss each, or from 265 to 
371 pounds avoirdupois of the commodity. The pro¬ 
prietors store the oil in their houses, and then vend it 
to the exporters. The price varies, according to the de¬ 
mand, from four ticals of flowered silver to six ticals 
per 1,000 viss; which is from five pence to seven pence 
half penny per 100. The carriage of so bulky a com¬ 
modity, and the breakage to which pots are so liable, 
enhances the price in the most distant parts to which 
the article is transported, to fifty ticals per 1,000 viss. 
Sesamum oil will cost at the same place not less than 
300 ticals for an equal weight, but it lasts longer, gives 
a better light, and is more agreeable than the Petrole¬ 
um, which in burning, emits an immense quantity of 
black smoke, which soils every object near it. The 
cheapness, however, of this article is so great, that it 


ITS HISTORY 


27 


must be considered as conducing much to the comfort 
and convenience of the Burmans. Petroleum is used 
by the Burmans for the purpose of burning in lamps, 
and smearing timber to protect it against insects, 
especially the white ant, which will not approach it. 
It is said that about two-thirds of it is used for burning, 
and that its consumption is universal until its price 
reaches that of sesamum oil, the only oil which is used 
in the country for burning. Its consumption, therefore, 
is universal, wherever there is water carriage to con¬ 
vey it—that is, in all the country watered by the Ira- 
waddy, its tributary streams and its branches. It in¬ 
cludes Bassien, but excludes Martaban, Tavoy, and Mer- 
gui, Aracan, Tongo, and all the northern and southern 
tributary states. The quantity exported to foreign 
parts is a mere trifle, not worth noticing. It is consid¬ 
ered that a consumption of thirty viss per annum for 
each family of five and a half persons is a moderate 
average. If it were practical, therefore, to ascertain the 
real quantity produced at the wells, we should be pos¬ 
sessed of the means of making a tolerable estimate of 
the inhabitants who make use of this commodity, con¬ 
stituting the larger part of the population of the king¬ 
dom. Of the actual produce of the wells, we received 
accounts not easily reconcilable to each other. The 
Burmans, perhaps, less from a disposition to impose 
than from an incapacity to state any facts of the nature 
with precision, could not be relied on, and we had no 
registers to consult. The daily produce of the wells 
was stated, according to goodness to vary from 35 to 
500, the average giving about 235 viss. The number of 
wells was sometimes as low as fifty, and sometimes as 
high as 400. The average made about 200, and con¬ 
sidering they are spread over sixteen square miles, as 
well as that the oil is well known to be a very general 


28 


PETKOLIA. 


article of consumption throughout the country, I do 
not think the number exaggerated. This estimate will 
make the consumers of Petroleum for burning amount 
to 2,066,721. In the narrative of one of my predeces¬ 
sors, Captain Cox, the number of wells is given as high 
as 520, and the average daily produce of each well is 
reckoned at 300 viss, which makes the whole amount 
produced, 56,940,000. Calculating as before, this pro¬ 
duce will give a population of 6,959,331. This is a 
much higher estimate than my rough data afford, but 
even this gives a very low estimate of the probable 
population of the empire. Calculations formed from 
such crude materials, and which would be justly disre¬ 
garded, were means of gaining more accurate informa¬ 
tion within reach, have their value in a countrv in 
which exact details are never procurable upon any 
question of statistics. 

Volume II., page 23.—Dr. Wallich and myself this 
morning visited the Petroleum wells, and examined 
several of them, we took the temperature of two of 
them carefully, with a good thermometer, the thermom 
eter being immersed in a pot of oil just drawn from 
one of these, which was 130 royal cubits, or 207 Eng¬ 
lish feet in depth, rose to 80°. In the shade the tem¬ 
perature was at the same time 60°. In a pot of oil 
drawn from another well, in which the liquid was much 
less mixed with water, and which was 140 royal cubits, 
or 222 feet and 8 inches deep, the heat indicated by the 
thermometer was 90°. In going over the ground, we 
observed several old wells altogether abandoned. The 
natives informed us, that in digging new ones, they 
came, at a considerable depth, to coal and fossil-shells; 
of the latter we could, unfortunately, obtain no speci¬ 
mens, but of the former, which proved to be brown 
coal, we obtained one or two good ones at the village 


ITS HISTORY. 


29 


of Benangyun. The oil drawers stated to us that in 
cleaning out old wells, accidents sometimes happened 
from the fire damps, and they pointed out a particular 
well at which two men had lost their lives from this 
cause. 

Page 178.—The celebrated Petroleum wells afford, 
as I ascertained at Ava, a revenue to the king, or his 
officers. The wells are private property, and belong 
hereditarily to about thirty-two individuals. A duty of 
five parts in one hundred is levied on the Petroleum as 
it comes from the wells, and the amount realized on it 
is said to be 25,000 ticals per annum. No less than 
20,000 of this goes to contractors, collectors, or public 
officers, and the share of the State, or 5,000, was as¬ 
signed during our visit as a pension of one of the 
Queens. 

Page 206.—The Petroleum wells of Renangyorong 
have been already described in the Journal. From the 
more accurate information, which I obtained at Ava, 
it appears that the produce of these may be estimated 
at the highest, in round numbers, at 22,000,000 of viss, 
each of three sixty-five one hundredth poimds avoirdu¬ 
pois. This estimate is formed from the report of the 
Myo. Thugyi, who rents the tax on the wells, which is 
five in a hundred. His annual collection is 25,000 ticals, 
and he estimated, or conjectured, that he lost by smug¬ 
gling 8,000, making the total 33,000. The value of 
the whole produce, therefore, is 660,000 ticals. The 
value of the oil on the spot, is reckoned at three ticals 
per 100 viss, and consequently its amount will be as 
above stated. 

Page 238.—I should observe, that Petroleum is uni¬ 
versally used, wherever the navigation of the Irawaddy 
and Ryendwen, with their tributary streams, will allow 
of its being conveyed, and that it is also carried to a 


30 


PETEOLIA. 


considerable extent, by land carriage. It is universally 
consumed in Pegu, from Bassien to Martaban, and 
throughout the whole of Upper Ava, embracing the 
greatest portion of the area of the kingdom, and un¬ 
questionably all the best inhabited part of it. 

Extracts in reference to Petroleum from the Narrative 
of Major Michael Symes , of the English Army , 
icho was sent by the Governor-General of India as 
Embassador to the Court of Ava, in 1765. Pub¬ 
lished by Pidmer & Co., in London, in 1800. 

Page 261.—After passing various sands and vil¬ 
lages, we got to Yaynangheoum or Earth Oil (Petro¬ 
leum) Creek, about two hours past noon. We were in¬ 
formed that the celebrated wells of Petroleum, which 
supply the whole empire and many parts of India with 
that useful product, were five miles to the east of this 
place. The mouth of the creek was crowded with large 
boats, waiting to receive a lading of oil, and immense 
pyramids of earthen jars were raised within and around 
The village; disposed in the same manner as shot and 
shells are piled in an arsenal. This is inhabited only by 
potters, who carry on an extensive manufactory, and 
find full employment. The smell of the oil is extremely 
offensive. We saw several thousand jars filled with it, 
ranged along the bank; some of these were contin¬ 
ually breaking, and the contents, mingling with the 
sand, formed a very filthy consistence. Mr. Wood had 
the curiosity to walk to the wells, but, though I had 
felt the same desire, I thought it prudent to postpone 
visiting them until my return, when I was likely to 
have more leisure, and to be less the object of observa¬ 
tion. 

Page 441.—We rode until two o’clock, at which 
hour we reached Yaynangheoum, or Petroleum Creek, 


ITS HISTORY. 


31 


a place already noticed in our journey up the river. 
Dr. Buchanan partook of an early dinner with me, and 
when the sun had descended so low as to be no longer 
inconvenient, we mounted our horses to visit the cele¬ 
brated wells that produce the oil, an article of universal 
use throughout the Empire. 

Page 442. —The evening being far advanced, we 
met but few carts, those we did observe were drawn by 
a pair of oxen, and of a length disproportionate to the 
breadth, to allow space for earthen pots that contained 
the oil. It was a matter of surprise to us, how they 
could convey such brittle ware with any degree of safe¬ 
ty over so rugged a road. Each pot was packed in a 
separate basket and laid in straw, notwithstanding 
which precaution, the ground, all the way, was strewn 
with broken fragments of the vessels, and wet with oil, 
for no care can prevent the fracture of some in every 
journey. As we approached the pits, which were more 
distant than we had imagined, the country became less 
uneven, and the soil produced herbage. It was nearly 
dark when we reached them, and the laborers had re¬ 
tired from work. There seemed to be a great many 
pits within a small compass. Walking to the nearest, we 
found the aperture about four feet square, and the sides 
lined, as far as we could see down, with timber; the 
oil is drawn up in an iron pot, fastened to a rope 
passed over a wooden cylinder, which revolves on an 
axis, supported by two upright posts. When the pot 
is filled, two men take hold of the rope by the end, and 
run down a declivity, which is cut in the ground, to a 
distance, equivalent to the depth of the well. Thus, 
when they reach the end of the track, the pot is raised 
to its proper elevation, the contents, water and oil, to¬ 
gether, are then discharged into a cistern, and the 
water is afterwards drawn through a hole in the bot- 


32 


PETKOLIA. 


tom. Our guide, an active, intelligent fellow, went to a 
neighboring house, and procured a well rope, by means 
of which we were enabled to measure the depth, and 
ascertained it to be thirty-seven fathoms, but of the 
quantity of the oil at the bottom we could not judge. 
The owner of the rope, who followed our guide, affirmed 
that when a pit yielded as much as came up to the waist 
of a man, it was deemed tolerably productive, if it 
reached his neck, it was abundant; but that which 
rose no higher than the knee, was accounted indiffer¬ 
ent. When a well is exhausted, they restore the spring 
by cutting deeper in the rock, which is extremely hard 
in those places where the oil is produced. The govern¬ 
ment farms out the ground which supplies this useful 
commodity, and it is again let to adventurers, who dig 
wells at their own hazard, by which they sometimes 
gain and often lose, as the labor and expense of dig¬ 
ging are considerable. The oil is sold on the spot for 
a mere trifle—I think 200 or 300 pots for a tackal, or 
half a crown. The principal charge is incurred by the 
transportation and purchase of vessels. We had but 
half gratified our curiosity, -when it grew dark, and our 
guide urged us not to remain any longer, as the road 
was said to be infested with tigers, that prowled about 
at night among the rocky, uninhabited ways through 
which we had to pass. We followed his advice, and 
returned with greater risk, as I thought, of breaking our 
necks from the badness of the road, than of being de¬ 
voured by wild beasts. At ten o’clock we reached our 
boats without any misadventure.” 

In the vicinity of the Caspian Sea, the Bakoo springs 
have yielded large quantities of oil from time immemo¬ 
rial, and are widely celebrated throughout that region. 
The oil, under the name of naphtha, is very generally 
burned for its light. 


ITS HISTORY. 


33 


As far back into the ages of the past as we have 
any record, asphaltum has been found on the shores of 
the Dead Sea. This sea, as is well known, is of sup¬ 
posed volcanic origin ; and is the probable site of the 
cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Its surface is 1,300 
feet below the surface of the ocean, and it has been 
fathomed to the depth of 2,000 feet. In several places, 
no bottom has been found, and owing to internal con¬ 
vulsions, the depth changes from time to time. The 
water is very dense, holding in solution twenty-five per 
cent, of solid matter, of which seven per cent, is salt. 
The bituminous substance is thrown up from below, 
and towards the centre of the sea, it is found in a liquid 
state, like Petroleum; but is probably solidified by 
evaporation, as it appears on the shore in hard, com¬ 
pact masses. 

Upon the West India Islands, or, rather, several of 
them, it exists in various forms, known as Chapapote, 
Barbadoes tar, &c. Its existence is also apparent in 
various portions of South America. The most remarka¬ 
ble natural fountain of Petroleum known, is on the 
island of Trinidad, in the West Indies. It is called by 
the inhabitants Tar Lake. Bitumen, in a hot state, is 
continually boiling up, and it has formed a lake several 
miles in circumference. In the centre, or at the mouth 
of the fountain, the oil is hot and liquid, but as it re¬ 
cedes in every direction, it gradually cools and thickens, 
until, on the shores, it becomes solid. Humboldt also 
reports the spontaneous product of Petroleum in the 
West India Islands to be large, and as it ran to waste, 
it covered a large surface of the sea with its unctious 
tide. This report was made in 1799. 

Having thus traced Petroleum in several of its con¬ 
nections, we will now turn to others no less curious. 
China, the land of everything old and new, next claims 
2 * 


34 


PETEOLIA. 


attention. That famous traveller, the Abbe Hue, gives a 
literally glowing description of the natural gas found 
issuing from the surface of the soil in various portions 
of the Celestial Empire. Every rich Chinese, in the 
regions where the product is discovered, if he knows 
nothing else, knows enough to have his own fire well, 
as he graphically calls it. It is often terrible work, as 
he has generally to perforate the earth to a depth of 
1,500 to 2,000 feet. But John Chinaman is a patient 
fellow, and seldom fails. He has a long tube, about 
six inches in diameter to drill or bore with, and by the 
employment of some very odd machinery, bores on till 
he reaches the volcanic cavities below. Then rushes 
forth the inflammable gas, in a huge jet, that leaps like 
a black arrow, hundreds of feet into the air, and is 
finally mastered at no little expense, or difficulty, and 
danger. The least touch of flame, and an awful catas- 
trojffie is the result. 

A noted Catholic Missionary, Monseigneur Irnbert, 
who was in 1833, assigned to the province of Slo- 
Tchouch, celebrated for its fire wells, and who is quoted 
by the great Humboldt, in his “ Fragments of Geol¬ 
ogy,” describes a catastrophe of this kind that occurred 
at the Tsee-Lieon-Tsing (or well flowing of itself), in 
the great oil and gas regions. It caught fire in a 
twinkling, a frightful explosion was heard, followed 
by a shock of earthquake. 

The narrator says: “ The flame, which was about 
twenty feet high, flitted about without burning any¬ 
thing. Four men volunteered to risk their lives in en¬ 
deavoring to arrest it. They cast a large stone on the 
mouth of the well, but it was instantly hurled far into 
the air. Three of the men were burned, the fourth one 
only escaping by almost a miracle. Neither water nor 
earth would extinguish the flames, until at length, 


ITS HISTORY. 


35 


after two weeks of incessant toil, a sufficient quantity 
of water was conveyed to the adjacent heights, where 
it was collected in a little lake, and suddenly let loose 
on the well in one volume, with success.” 

When the mouths of these wells have been properly 
secured, the gas can be conducted to any quarter through 
tubes of bamboo, and, once lighted, it burns with a 
steady bluish and dark reddish flame, about four inches 
in height and one in diameter. It so continues, day 
and night, until artificially extinguished. The light is 
heavy, but sufficient for ordinary purposes. Monseigneur 
Imbert also describes the uses to which this gas is put 
in the province of Kite-Sing-Tan, about 200 leagues 
from Canton. There the wells are very numerous, and 
the gas is used to light the great salt mines, which also 
abound in that district, and for fuel. One foot below 
the surface of the ground, on the four sides or faces of 
the well, are inserted four enormous bamboo tubes, 
which carry the gas beneath the boilers. Each boiler 
has its bamboo tube or fire-conductor, at the extremity 
of which is an earthen-ware tip several inches in length; 
and an orifice in the centre of about one inch in diam¬ 
eter. This tip keeps the bamboo from burning. Other 
tubes, leading to the outside, illuminate the great halls 
and chambers of the workshops. It is impossible to 
utilize all the flame, and the excess is conducted to the 
outer air through immense chimneys, above which leap 
their long tongues of flame. The surface of the ground 
above the tubes, is made very warm, and even burns 
the feet. In the very depth of January, the workmen 
are all half-naked, wearing a short pair of drawers. 
The flame of this gas produces no smoke; but a smell 
of bitumen can be perceived for miles around. The 
flame is of a dark red, like that of coal, and does not 
cling to the end of the tube, as that of an ordinary 


36 


PETROLIA. 


lamp, but hovers at the height of about two inches 
above it. In the winter time, the poor, in order to 
warm themselves, dig round cavities in the sand, a foot 
deep. A dozen of them crouch about it, then, with a 
handful of lighted straw, set fire to the cavity, and thus 
warm themselves as long as they wish. When they 
see fit, they fill up the hollow with sand, and so extin¬ 
guish the flames. 

As early as 1618, Jean Tardin, a physician, of Tour- 
non, in France, gave to the world a curious, and now very 
rare work, entitled, “ Natural History of the Burning 
Fountain, near Grenoble, with an Inquiry into the 
Causes and Principles, and an ample Treatise on Sub¬ 
terranean Fires.” Tardin went to work, enlightened 
by his own investigations, and after trying various sub¬ 
stances, placed coal in a close vessel, over a slow fire, 
and so obtained the vaporous exhalations, which is our 
ordinary gas. 

Tardin’s experiments were followed by those of 
Thomas Shirley, who, in 1667, tested the contents of the 
Burning Well, so called, near Wigan, Lancashire, Eng¬ 
land, which he found burned like oil. He was suc¬ 
ceeded by the Rev. John Clayton, who wrote a singular 
letter to Sir John Boyle, u Concerning the spirit of 
coals,” and therein states, that he had seen a ditch, 
where “ the water burned like brandy.” The country 
people boiled eggs and even meat in it. This letter 
was written previous to 1691, and is quoted in the 
“ Philosophical Transactions of 1739,” on pages 59 to 
61 of the forty-first volume. 

In Oriental Georgia, near to Bakoun, in the place 
known as Atesch Cah, or the Dwelling of Fire, are 
found wells, and pits of gas, and naptha, used by the 
weavers of that country for heat and light. 

In Hungary, in the “ circle ” of the Marmarosch, a 


ITS HISTORY. 


37 


gallery in the salt mine of Szalino, gave vent to a 
stream of bituminous gas, now used to illumine the 
mine, and in Belgium similar accidents have occurred at 
Liege, at Warmer, and near to Charleroy. Van Nooth 
and Van Campen add to the narratives already given 
from China, by the description they offer of the fire 
wells in the city of Xen Si. 

It also appears, to advert to a still more recent date, 
that the inhabitants along the Little Muskingum River, 
in Ohio, came very near discovering the importance of 
Petroleum in 1819. Dr. S. P. Hildreth, of Marietta, in 
an account of the region, written in that year, and pub¬ 
lished in the “American Journal of Sciences,” (1826), 
speaking of the borings for salt water, says: “ They 
have sunk two wells, which are now more than 400 
feet in depth. One of them affords a very strong and 
pure water, but not in great quantity. The other dis¬ 
charges such vast quantities of Petroleum, or, as it is 
vulgarly called, c Seneca Oil,’ and besides, is subject to 
such tremendous explosions of gas, as to force out all 
the water, and afforded nothing but gas for several 
days, so that they could make but little or no salt. 
Nevertheless, the Petroleum affords considerable pro¬ 
fit, and is beginning to be in demand for lamps, for 
workshops and manufactories. It affords a brisk, clear 
light when burned this way, and will be a valuable 
article for lighting the street lamps in the future cities 
of Ohio.” 

From the traces we thus find of bitumen, naptha, 
and inflammable carbonic gas, in the most diverse and 
widely separated quarters of the globe, we are irresis¬ 
tibly led to infer, that the interior of our planet is one 
huge laboratory, in which the various carboniferous 
deposits are being separated into oil and the gases that 
precede or accompany it, and that the lapse of time 


38 


PETROLIA. 


required by a far vaster population than the earth can 
now boast, to consume the internal accumulations 
already existing, would be infinitely more than enough 
to have them replaced by fresh filterings, from the sur¬ 
face,' of carbonic matter, the result of both animal and 
vegetable decay. 

The next conclusion is, that, as the general supply 
must be practically inexhaustible, and as on this con¬ 
tinent have been found the freshest, purest, and most 
copious deposits of this wonderful fluid, the United 
States of America alone have it as a source of wealth 
for ages to come. In it, with it, and about it, are 
found, either separately or united, all the other bitu¬ 
minous products, and while it can be used for fuel, it 
can be converted into gas, thus forming a sort of magic 
circle, giving light and heat all around the periphery 
of its fantastic transformations. 

It is something to know that a cargo of Petroleum 
may navigate a river, cross a lake or ocean, in a vessel 
propelled by steam it has generated, acting upon an 
engine it lubricates, and directed by an engineer who 
may grease his hair, anoint his body, perfume his cloth¬ 
ing, enrich his food, rub his bruises, freshen his liver, 
and waterproof his boots, with the same article. 


CHAPTER III. 


EARLY HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA PETROLEUM 

REGION. 

From the remains of circular, square, and oval pits, 
sunk in the earth, to a depth of fifteen and twenty feet, 
cribbed or walled with timber, still visible in many 
places in the valley of Oil Creek, hundreds in number, 
and covering an aggregate surface of hundreds of 
acres, are indicated unmistakably the operations of a 
race possessing in some degree the elements of modern 
civilization. From the number of these pits, and their 
systematic arrangement, Petroleum was doubtless ob¬ 
tained in considerable quantities. These pits have been 
excavated with care, and with reference to one design. 
Of the date of their excavation, we can only vaguely 
conjecture. Trees, of not less age than from two to 
three centuries, are found growing out of these excava¬ 
tions, and there may possibly have been a previous 
growth. The Petroleum has protected the timber 
against the ravages of time, and their forms still re¬ 
main, an unsolved problem to modern comprehension. 
By whom, and in what age of the world’s history, 
these extensive works were executed, is a theme upon 
which the imagination can find abundant food to spec¬ 
ulate. 

The monuments of a race, superior in all respects to 
those who inhabited this continent when discovered, 
can be found from the Alleghanies to the Pacific. And 
stranger still, these vestiges are characterized by pro- 


40 


PETEOLIA. 


gressive degrees of civilization. The ancient mounds 
of the Ohio, and the remains of ancient cities on tlie 
Gila River, amply attest the rate of progress made. 

To us, these ancient vestiges would seem to indicate 
the stages of the migration of successive races from a 
northern direction, west as far as the Rocky Mountains, 
which may have formed to them an obstacle too diffi¬ 
cult to overcome, and from thence in a southerly course, 
until the more tropical countries were reached. In 
“ Prescott’s Conquest of Mexico,” volume I., we find, 
in relation to the primitive races of Mexico, the follow¬ 
ing : 

“ Of these races, the most conspicuous were the 
Toltecs, advancing from a northerly direction, but 
from what region it is uncertain. They entered the 
territory of Anahuac, probably before the close of the 
seventh century. Of course, little can be gleaned, with 
certainty, respecting a people, whose written records 
have perished, and who are known to us only through 
the traditionary legends of the nations that succeeded 
them. By the general agreement of these, however, the 
Toltecs were well instructed in agriculture, and many 
of the most useful mechanic arts; were nice workers 
of metals; invented the complex arrangement of time 
adopted by the Aztecs; and, in short, were the true 
fountains of the civilization which distinguished this 
part of the continent in later times.” 

According to the same eminent authority, “ the Tol¬ 
tecs, who had extended their sway over the remotest 
borders of Anahuac, having been greatly reduced by 
famine, pestilence, and unsuccessful wars, disappeared 
from the land as silently and mysteriously as they had 
entered it. * * * Their shadowy history reminds 

us of those primitive races, who preceded the ancient 
Egyptians in the march of civilization; fragments of 


ITS EARLY HISTORY IN PENNSYLVANIA. 41 

whose monuments, as they are seen at this day, incor¬ 
porated with the buildings of the Egyptians themselves, 
give to these latter the appearance of almost modern 
construction. * * * After the lapse of another 

hundred years, a numerous and rude tribe, called the 
Chicimecs, entered the deserted country from the 
regions of the far Northwest. They were speedily fol¬ 
lowed by others of higher civilization, perhaps of the 
same family with the Toltecs, whose language they ap¬ 
pear to have spoken. The most noted of these were 
the Aztecs, or Mexicans, and the Acolhuans. The lat¬ 
ter, better known in later times by the name of Tezcu- 
cans, from their capital, Tezcuco, were peculiarly fitted 
by their comparatively mild religion and manners, for 
receiving the tincture of civilization from the few Tol¬ 
tecs that still remained in the country. This, in their 
turn, they communicated to the barbarous Chicimecs, 
a large portion of whom became amalgamated with the 
new settlers as one nation.” 

From Clavigero, an authority quoted in the same 
work, the following dates are assigned of the arrivals 
and departures of the races spoken of. He was a most 
inquisitive and laborious historian of earlier times, and 
his testimony, elicited after intelligent research, is 
worthy of respect, at least. He gives the dates as fol¬ 


lows : 

A. D. 

The Toltecs arrived in Anahuac. 648 

They abandoned the country.1015 

The Chicimecs arrived.1170 

The Acolhuans arrived. 1200 

The Mexicans or Aztecs reached Tula.1196 

They founded Mexico.1325 


We make the foregoing extracts, not for the pur¬ 
pose of proving anything by the strong points of com¬ 
parison presented, but merely as a curious coincidence. 








42 PETROLIA. 

The country around the Great Lakes may have possibly 
been the region from which the primitive races spoken 
of, originally came, as well as the source of all the races 
that had preceded them in their march of emigration, 
who once peopled the valley of the Mississippi, and 
even beyond. If the analogy could be established, the 
building of the monuments left by the mysterious race 
of “ mound-builders,” as they are called, and the rea¬ 
sons and explanations therefor, would be clear. With 
so important a link missing, we are not inclined to 
make such faint resemblance a basis. 

We have beheld, so far as pits sunk in the earth are 
concerned, ample evidences of operations of a mysteri¬ 
ous race, whose occupation of this country ante-dated 
the one found by our own, so far, that even tradition 
has failed to give any sign of them. A race possessing 
intelligence to sink and afterward crib the walls of these 
primitive oil wells, had certainly arrived at a sufficient 
state of civilization to utilize it. These uses may have 
been somewhat similar to those of the present. The 
artesian wells are unknown, so far as we can learn, in 
the famous oil region of the Burman Empire, at the 
present day. Yet for centuries, a large supply of Pe¬ 
troleum has been obtained from their wells, similar in 
general respects to the pits left in our own locality. 
In the age in which these pits were sunk, it may have 
been that the country, from the Alleghanies to the 
Rocky Mountains, teemed with millions of inhabitants. 
Thousands of towns and cities dotted the valley and 
plain, requiring a commerce co-equal to our own. A 
Petroleum development, similar to our own, may have 
taken place, and the same eventful scenes have been re¬ 
enacted as within the last few years, “ Stock Com¬ 
panies,” not excepted. Pits, or wells, were sunk by 
hundreds, “ dry holes,” occurred then as now, and 


ITS EARLY HISTORY IN PENNSYLVANIA. 43 

“ obstacles ” of a similar nature pestered the oil miner, 
as in the present day; landowners received a u royal¬ 
ty,” lessees grew thin and the landowners fat; dealers 
sold “ short ” and “ long ” ; “ bulls,” and “ bears,” had 
their brief seasons of triumph or of tribulation, while 
the latest market intelligence from the far off commer¬ 
cial centres, brought by “ pony expresses,” or “ shanks’ ” 
tried and trusty steed, was scanned by excited opera¬ 
tors. A revenue may have been realized by the ruling 
government from its taxation; large towns or cities 
built then, as now, by the trade, and operators who had 
“ struck oil,” invested their suddenly acquired wealth 
in “ faro ” or “ five-twenties.” All this may have been, 
and more too. With traces so plain as the existence 
of these ancient oil pits, the hope is certainly not futile, 
that some authentic record of their history will yet be 
discovered and the wonderful achievements of the race 
that constructed them, made known. 

The present product, known as Petroleum, has been 
found, in not only the Pennsylvania Oil Region, but 
also in portions of Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio, by 
the early settlers. It was found in springs of water, 
coming to the surface of the same in the form of glo¬ 
bules, and its presence was not unfrequently manifested 
on the surface of streams, and occasionally, in fissures of 
the rocks. It was met with, in the form of gas and oil 
in the boring of salt wells, and annoyed the early salt 
miners greatly, rendering the water from the well use¬ 
less for salt, by the impregnation of its offensive odor. 
It was known to the Indian tribes, who used it both as 
a medicine and for toilet purposes, for dressing their 
wounds, and for mixing their paint. Red paint rock, 
resembling ochre, is still found in localities on the Alle¬ 
ghany River, which, no doubt, was used by the red men. 
Its use as a medicine was made known to the first set- 


44 


PET.ROLIA. 


tiers by the Indians, and adopted by them to a great ex¬ 
tent. It was used for sprains, cuts, bruises, wounds of 
all kinds, and sometimes taken internally for various 
bodily diseases. It acts as a cathartic, and is sufficiently 
disgusting to the taste, to suit the most ardent lover of 
nostrums. 

Ever since the settlement of this portion of Pennsyl¬ 
vania, hints of its existence have been manifest on the 
surface of springs, streams, and from the rocks them¬ 
selves. Though the quantity gathered was small, the 
supply was generally equal to the demand, as a few 
barrels would glut the market. The manner of gather¬ 
ing the oil has been described as follows : 

“ A point was selected where the oil appeared to 
bubble up to the surface of the water most freely, 
when a pit was excavated to the depth of two or three 
feet. Sometimes this pit was rudely walled up ; some¬ 
times not. Sometimes it was near the edge of the water 
on the bank of the stream, and sometimes in the bed 
of the stream itself. In these pits the oil and water 
would collect together, until a stratum of the former 
would collect upon the surface of the latter, when a 
coarse blanket or a piece of flannel was thrown in. 
This blanket or flannel soon became saturated with oil, 
but rejected the water. The blanket was then taken 
out, wrung into a tub, and the operation repeated as 
often as desirable.” 

The first shipments of Petroleum to Pittsburgh, 
are related by Eaton as follows : 

“ Mr. Cary, one of the first settlers of Oil Creek, 
possessing, perhaps, a little more enterprise than his 
neighbors, would collect or purchase a cargo of oil, and 
proceed to Pittsburgh, and exchange it for commodi¬ 
ties needed in his family. This cargo consisted of two 
five gallon kegs, that were slung, one on each side of 


ITS EARLY HISTORY IN PENNSYLVANIA. 


45 


a horse, and thus conveyed by land, a distance of 
seventy or eighty miles. It was a small beginning. * 
* * At a period later, General Hays, who settled in 

Franklin in the year 1803, relates, that at one time he 
purchased the entire product of the region, amounting 
to sixteen barrels, which he sold in Pittsburgh for 
about one dollar per gallon.” This is the first “ corner ” 
in the Petroleum business of which we have any record. 
It proved, doubtless, more successful than many of those 
of recent date of far greater magnitude. 

The same writer says, “ that a well was bored for 
the purpose of procuring salt water for the manufacture 
of that article, at Horse Creek, five miles above Oil 
City, on the Allegheny River, some forty years since. 
At the depth of seventy or eighty feet, a strong vein 
of oil was struck. Disgusted, the miners abandoned 
the well. Oil was also discovered in Franklin, in a 
well sunk for household uses, at the depth of thirty 
feet. An oil well was afterwards drilled through the 
bottom of this, but no considerable amount of oil was 
obtained. Its presence was also manifest to the work¬ 
men engaged in making the excavations for the lock of 
the canal at Franklin. 

Such, in brief, is the material portion of the early 
history of the Pennsylvania Petroleum product, so far 
as known. 


CHAPTER IV. 


DAWNING OF THE ERA OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHT. 

From the able report, made by the United States 
Commissioners, in 1866, we glean the following inter¬ 
esting facts: 

“ Rev. John Clayton, at the close of the sixteenth 
century, discovered coal gas, and its utility for illumin¬ 
ating purposes, but no application of the discovery 
was made until the year 1792, when Mr. Murdock, of 
Cornwall, in England, commenced a series of experi¬ 
ments, the result of which was so encouraging, that Dr. 
Henry and others became interested in their further 
prosecution. Gas was at length introduced into some 
of the manufacturing establishments. In the years 1803 
and 1804, the Lyceum Theatre, in London, was lighted 
with gas, and by the year 1816, it had become quite 
common in England and France, both of which coun¬ 
tries claimed the honor of its discovery. In a few 
years more its use had extended to all parts of the 
civilized world. 

46 This discovery, and the common process of distil¬ 
lation, used for production of gas, and various experi¬ 
ments with different coals, peats, and oils, made in con¬ 
nection therewith, and with different lamps and burners 
for the more economical use of gas, naturally resulted 
in the manufacture of hydro-carbon oils from coals and 
shales, in the art of purifying and refining the oils as 
now practised, and in the invention of the Kerosene or 
Petroleum lamp, which has removed the objection to 
the use of these oils for illuminating purposes. 


DAWNING OF ARTIFICIAL LIGIIT. 


47 


“ These inventions, with the application of the ar¬ 
tesian well, by which the existence of extensive subter¬ 
ranean oil deposits have been demonstrated, and the 
present enormous production brought about, have 
added greatly to the wealth of the world, and indirect¬ 
ly to the advancement of civilization, by reducing the 
cost of artificial light. When we reflect that artificial 
light adds, perhaps, on an average, one-eighth to each 
day for all the inhabitants of the earth, and when we 
consider the inestimable value of the time thus gained, 
not only for the prosecution of industrial pursuits, but 
for social enjoyment and the cultivation of the mind, 
we can appreciate the immense utility of these inven¬ 
tions and discoveries, by which is being brought into 
general use a better light, unlimited in its supply, and 
at a greatly reduced cost. 

u De Saussure, of Switzerland, the Chervan Broth¬ 
ers, and Selligue, of France, are the most conspicuous 
of those who invented, improved, and utilized the pro¬ 
cesses for producing illuminating oils from coals, peat, 
shales, and schists. They deserve the credit of having 
created on the continent of Europe that branch of man¬ 
ufacture, which had become quite large, more than 
fifteen years ago, and is now of very great importance. 

“ Mr. James Young, of Bathgate, in Scotland, took 
out a patent in 1850, now expired, but is continued by 
letters-patent obtained in the United States, and in 
force here until 1871. They are understood to be for 
the destructive distillation of coals, shales, and asphalta 
from the lowest temperature of decomposition up to a 
dull red heat, for the production of paraffine oil, or oils 
containing paraffine. 

“ The first lamps, so indispensable for burning of 
Petroleum, it is stated, were brought from Vienna, in 
Austria. They were preceded by American inventions, 
on the same principle, but less perfect. 


48 


PETROLIA. 


“ Soon after Mr. Young had perfected his invention 
the manufacture of artificial oils from different min¬ 
erals, but principally Cannel coal, by process of destruc¬ 
tive distillation, was commenced in the United States. 
This oil was refined and deodorized, and proved to be 
a valuable illuminator. Cannel coal is found in large 
quantity in Beaver and other counties in Western 
Pennsylvania, in Kentucky, and other States. It is 
rich in oil, producing forty gallons to the ton. The 
process was carried on by placing the coal in large iron 
retorts, inclined at a slight angle to the horizon, and ap¬ 
plying heat. About the year 1858, the business began 
to assume a large and growing importance, and large 
amounts of Cannel coal lands were bought up by cap¬ 
italists. Inquiry and investigations, as well as utiliza¬ 
tion had previously ensued. The natural oil that had 
for long ages been percolating through fissures of the 
rocks, and making its presence known in the waters of 
springs and streams, began to attract the attention of 
scientific and practical men. Analyzation and experi¬ 
ments indicated the same illuminating qualities, only 
in a higher degree, than that of any of the previous 
substances.” 

Several parties claim the honor of originating the 
Yenango Petroleum development, or, in other words, 
the drilling of the first well, and the pumping of the 
hidden treasure, from the lower depths of earth. We 
have no data whereby the illustrious discoverer can be 
known, but the development of the product, and its ap¬ 
plication to uses of general utility, was reserved for a 
late date. Disclaiming all intention of interference with 
the claims of others, we give the following facts as a 
matter of history. We claim that the honor of originat¬ 
ing the present Petroleum development, of Yenango 
County, to which, too, the world owes its present source 


DAWNING OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHT. 


49 


of light, clearly belongs to Mr. George H. Bissell, for¬ 
merly of the firm of Eveleth & Bissell, now a resident 
of New York City. 

In the year 1853, Mr. Bissell, who was then a resi¬ 
dent of New Orleans, acting under the advice of his 
physician, took up his residence in the North, his health 
having become impaired by a long residence in a tropical 
climate. In the Summer of that year, he paid a visit to 
Hanover, N. H., the site of Dartmouth College, where 
Mr. Bissell graduated in 1845. One evening, Prof. 
Dixie Crosby, of Dartmouth College, exhibited to him 
a bottle of crude Petroleum, which he inferred, was 
gathered on the lands of his nephew, Dr. F. B. Brewer, 
on Oil Creek, near Titusville, Pa. Being well acquainted 
with Mr. Brewer, and becoming interested in the prod¬ 
uct, Mr. Bissell wrote to him, and obtained all the in¬ 
formation in regard to the locality, and the product 
itself, of which he was possessed. Some time after, he 
sent a young man to Titusville, to obtain further in¬ 
formation, and as his report w T as favorable, he deter¬ 
mined to examine into the matter more fully. About 
this time, he met Mr. Eveleth, whom he had formerly 
known in New Orleans, and stated to him what he had 
heard. Mr. Eveleth signified a desire to join Mr. Bis¬ 
sell in examining into the matter. 

Messrs. Eveleth & Bissell went on to Titusville, in 
1854, and while there purchased of Brewer, Watson & 
Co., the territory where the principal oil wells were 
found, and obtained from Brewer, Watson & Co., a 
lease for ninety-nine years, for oil purposes, of all their 
boring land in Yenango County, free of royalty, pay¬ 
ing them therefor, the sum of $5,000,—this being the 
first purchase of land, for oil purposes, made in Yenan- 
go County. They then hired a man named Angier, to 
trench the lands and pump the surface oil and water 
3 


50 


PETROLIA. 


into vats. The pumping was effected by an apparatus 
attached to the working gear of a sawmill. The first 
three barrels raised, were taken to New Haven, Conn., 
and Prof. B. Silliman, Jr., employed to analyze the 
same. In the fall of 1855, Messrs. Eveleth & Bissell 
published Professor Silliman’s very complete report. 
The total expense of the same being borne by these 
two gentlemen. The report attracted attention in New 
Haven, and finally, some capitalists there, purchased of 
Eveleth & Bissell, one-third in the property, Eveleth 
& Bissell retaining two-thirds of the stock, and the 
whole was placed in a company, called the Pennsyl¬ 
vania Rock Oil Company, of which Professor Silliman 
was elected president. The work of trenching went on 
with in different success, until 1857, when some members 
of the company agreed to sink an artesian well, and pay 
the company twelve cents a gallon, for forty-five years, 
on all oil raised. They employed a gentleman, named 
Drake, then a conductor on the New Haven railway, 
to superintend the work. Mr. Drake owned one forty- 
eighth part of the stock of the company. After a delay 
of over a year, and on the 28th day of August, 1859, the 
first vein of oil was struck, at a depth of sixty-nine and 
one-half feet, which produced for a time 400 gallons 
per day. 

From this source, the entire development of Petro¬ 
leum dates, and takes its origin. Having thus in brief 
given its history, we take pleasure in appending the 
elaborate and highly interesting report of Professor 
Silliman: 


REPORT. 

Messrs. EVELETH & BISSELL: 

Gentlemen : I herewith offer you the results of 
my somewhat extended researches upon the Rock Oil, 


DAWNING OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHT. 51 

or Petroleum, from Venango County, Pa., which you 
have requested me to examine with reference to its 
value for economical purposes. 

Numerous localities, well known in different parts 
of the world, furnish an oily fluid, exuding from the 
surface of the earth, sometimes alone in “ tar springs,” 
as they are called in the Western United States, while 
frequently it is found floating upon the surface of water 
in a thin film, with rainbow colors, or in dark globules, 
that may, by mechanical means, be separated from the 
fluid on which it swims. 

In some places, wells are sunk for the purpose of 
accumulating the product in a situation convenient for 
collection by pumping the water out. The oil exudes, 
on the shores of lakes and lagoons, or rises from springs 
beneath the beds of rivers. Such are the springs of the 
Baku, in Persia, and the wells of Amiano, in the duchy 
of Parma, in Italy. The usual geological position of the 
rocks furnishing this natural product, is in the coal 
measures, but it is by no means confined to this group 
of rocks, since it has been found in deposits much more 
recent, and also in those that are older; but in what¬ 
ever deposits it may occur, it is uniformly regarded as 
a product of vegetable decomposition. Whether this 
decomposition has been effected by fermentation only, 
or by the aid of an elevated temperature, and distilled 
by heated vapor, is perhaps hardly settled. 

It is interesting, however, to remember in this 
connection, that the distillation, at an elevated tem¬ 
perature, of certain black bituminous shales in England 
and France, has furnished large quantities of an oil 
having many points of resemblance with naptha, the 
name given to this colorless oil, which is the usual pro¬ 
duct of distilling Petroleum. The very high boiling 
point of most of the products of the distillation of the 


52 


PETROLIA. 


Rock Oil from Venango County, would seem to indi¬ 
cate that it was a pyrogenic (fire produced) product. 

Bitumen, asphaltum, mineral pitch, chapapote, &c., 
are names variously given to the more or less hard, 
black, resinous substance, which is produced usually 
from the exposure of Petroleum. The most remarka¬ 
ble examples of the occurrence of these substances so 
intimately connected with the history of Rock Oil, are 
the Lake Asphaltites, or the Dead Sea, so memorable 
in history, the well-known bitumen lake in Trinidad, 
and the deposits of mineral pitch or chapapote in Cuba. 
In one of the provinces of India, vast quantities of Pe¬ 
troleum are annually produced, the chief consumption 
being local, for fuel and light, but a portion is also ex¬ 
ported to Europe for the production of naptha. In the 
United States, many points on the Ohio and its tribu¬ 
taries, are noted as producing this oil; nearly all of 
them within the coal measures. A detailed history of 
these various localities, can be found recorded in books 
of science, and their repetition here would be out of 
place 

GENERAD CHARACTERS OP THE CRUDE PRODUCT. 

The crude oil, as is gathered on your lands, has a 
dark-brown color, which, by reflected light, is green¬ 
ish or bluish. It is thick even in warm weather, about 
as thick as thin molasses. In very cold weather it is 
somewhat more stiff, but can always be poured from 
a bottle even at 15° below zero. Its odor is strong and 
peculiar, and recalls to those who are familiar with it, 
the smell of bitumen and naptha. Exposed for a long 
time to the air, it does not thicken or form a skin on 
its surface, and in no sense, can it be called a drying 
oil. The density of the crude oil is 882, water being 
1,000. It boils only at a very high temperature, and 


DAWNING OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHT. 53 

yet it begins to give off a vapor at a temperature not 
greatly above that of boiling water. It takes fire with 
some difficulty, and burns with an abundant smoky 
flame. It stains paper with the appearance of ordinary 
fat oils, and feels smooth and greasy between the fin¬ 
gers. It is frequently used in its crude state to lubricate 
coarse machinery. In chemical characters, it is entirely 
unlike the fat oils. Most of these characters are com¬ 
mon to Petroleum from various places. In one import¬ 
ant respect, however, the product of your lands differ 
from that obtained in other situations, that is, it does 
not, by continued exposure to the air, become hard and 
resinous like mineral pitch or bitumen. I have been 
informed by those who have visited the locality, that 
on the surface of the earth about the springs, which 
furnish your oil, there is no crust or deposit of this 
sort, such as I have seen in other situations where Pe¬ 
troleum or mineral tar is flowing. This difference will 
be seen to be of considerable importance, as it is under¬ 
stood and represented that this product exists in great 
abundance upon your property, that it can be gath¬ 
ered wherever a well is sunk in the soil, over a great 
number of acres, and that it is unfailing in its yield 
from year to year. The question naturally arises, of 
what value is it in the arts, and for what uses can it be 
employed ? To enable you to answer these inquiries, 
has been the object of my researches. 

EXAMINATION OF THE OIL. 

To determine what products might be obtained in 
the oil, a portion of it was submitted to fractional dis¬ 
tillation.* The temperature of the fluid was constantly 

* Fractional distillation is a process intended to separate various 
products in mixture, and having unlike boiling points, by keeping the 


54 


PETEOLIA. 


regulated by a thermometer, the heat being applied 
first by water bath, and then by a bath of linseed oil. 
This experiment was founded upon the belief that the 
crude product contained several distinct oils, having 
different boiling points. The quantity of material used 
in this experiment, was 304 grammes. The thermom¬ 
eter indicated the degree of the Centigrade scale, but 
for convenience, the corresponding degrees of Fahren¬ 
heit’s scale are added. The water bath failed to distill 
any portion of the oil at 100°C. (=212° Fah.), only a 
small quantity of acid water came over. An oil bath 
was then substituted, and the temperature was regularly 
raised by slow degrees until distillation commenced. 
From that point the heat was successively raised by 
stages of ten degrees, allowing full time at each stage 
for comjfiete distillation of all that would rise at that 
temperature before advancing to the next stage. The 
results of this tedious process are given in the annexed 
table— 304 grammes of crude oil, submitted to frac¬ 
tional distillation, gave: 

1st product at 100°C.=212°Fah. (acid water) 5 Grammes. 

2d. product at 140°C. to 150=283° to 302 Fah. 26 
Grammes. 

3d product at 150°C. to 160°C.=302° to 320 Fah. 29 
Grammes. 

4tli product at 160°C. to 170°C.=320° to 338 Fah. 38 
Grammes. 

5th product at 170°C. to 180°C.=338° to 356° Fah. 17 
Grammes. 

6th product at 180°C. to 200°C.=356° to 392° Fah. 16 
Grammes. 

7th product at 200°C. to 270°C.=392° to 428° Fah. 17 
Grammes. 

mixture contained in an alembic at regulated successive stages of tem¬ 
perature as long as there is any distillate at a given point, and then 
raising the heat to another degree, &c. 


DAWNING OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHT. 55 

8th product at 220°C. to 270°C.=rl28° to 518° Fall. 12 
Grammes. 

Whole quantity distilled by this method, ICO Grammes, 
leaving a residue in the retort of 144, out of the orginal quan¬ 
tity 304. 

Product No. 1, as above remarked, was almost en¬ 
tirely water, with a few drops of colorless oil, having 
an odor similar to the orginal fluid, but less intense. 

Product No. 2 was an oil perfectly colorless, very 
thin and limpid, and having an exceedingly persistent 
odor, similar to the crude oil, but less intense. 

Product No. 3 was tinged slightly yellow, perfectly 
transparent, and apparently as limpid as the 2d product, 
with the same odor. 

Product No 4 was more decidedly yellowish than the 
last, but was in no other respect distinguishable from it. 

Product No. 5 was more highly colored, thicker in 
consistence, and had a decided empyreumatic odor. 

Product No. 6. This and the two subsequent pro¬ 
ducts were each more highly colored, and denser than 
the preceding. The last product had the color and con¬ 
sistency of honey, and the odor was less penetrating 
than that of the preceding oils. The mass of crude 
product remaining in the retort, equal to 47.4 per cent., 
was a dark, thick, resinous-looking varnish, which was 
so stiff, when cold, that it could be inverted without 
spilling. This showed no disposition to harden or skin 
over by exposure to the air. The distillation was ar¬ 
rested at this point in glass, by our having reached the 
limit of temperature for a bath of linseed oil. The 
density of the several products of this distillation, 
shows a progressive increase, thus : 


No. 2.density, .732 

No. 3. “ .752 

No. 4. “ .766 





56 


PETEOLIA. 


No. 5.density, .776 

No. 6. “ .800 

No. 7. “ .848 

No. 8. “ .854 


To form an idea of the comparative density of these 
several products, it may be well to state, that sulphuric 
ether, which is one of the highest fluids known, has a 
density of .736, and alcohol, when absolutely pure, 
.810. 

The boiling points of these several fluids present 
some anomalies, but are usually progressive, thus, No. 
2 gave signs of boiling at 115°C. ( = 239 Fall.), and 
boiled vigorously, and remained constant at 225°C. to 
228°C. (=437° to 420 Fah.). No 3 began to boil at 
120°, (=248° Fah.), rose to 270° (=518° Fah.), where 
it remained constant. No. 5 began to vaporise at 140° 
(=284° Fah.), rose to 290° (=554° Fah.), where it 
remained constant. On a second heating, the tempera¬ 
ture continued to rise, and passed 350° (=581 Fah.). 
No. 5 gave appearance of boiling at 160°(=320 Fah.), 
boiling more vigorously as the heat was raised, and 
was still rising at 308°(=581° Fah.). No 6 com¬ 
menced boiling at 135° (=275° Fah.), boiled violently at 
160° (=320 Fah.), and continued rising above the 
range of the mercurial thermometer. No. 7 com¬ 
menced ebullition at the same temperature as No. 6, 
and rose to 305° (=581° Fah.), where the ebullition 
was not very active. Much time was consumed in ob¬ 
taining these results. We infer from them that the 
Rock Oil is a mixture of numerous compounds, all 
having essentially the same chemical constitution, but 
differing in density and boiling points, and capable of 
separation from each other, by a well-regulated heat. 

The uncertainty of the boiling points indicates that 
the products obtained at the temperatures named above, 






DAWNING OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHT. 


57 


were still mixtures of others, and the question forces 
itself upon us, whether these several oils are to be 
regarded as educts , (i. e., bodies previously existing, 
and simply separated in the process of distillation), or 
whether they are not rather produced by the heat and 
chemical change in the process of distillation. The 
continued application of an elevated temperature alone 
is sufficient to effect changes in the constitution of 
many organic products, evolving new bodies not before 
existing in the original substance. 

PROPERTIES OF THE DISTILLED OILS. 

Exposed to the severest cold of the past winter, all 
the oils obtained in this distillation remained fluid. Only 
the last two or three appeared at all stiffened by a cold 
of 15° below zero, while the first three or four products 
of distillation retained a perfect degree of fluidity. Ex¬ 
posed to air, as I have said, they suffer no change. 
The chemical examination of these oils, showed that 
they were all composed of hydrogen and carbon, and 
probably have these elements in the same numerical rela¬ 
tion. When first distilled they all had an acid reaction, 
due to the presence of a small quantity of sulphuric 
acid, derived from the crude oil. This was entirely 
removed by a weak alkaline water, and even by boiling 
on pure water. Clean copper remained untarnished by 
the oil which had thus been prepared, showing its fit¬ 
ness for lubrication, so far as absence of corrosive qual¬ 
ity is concerned. The oils contain no oxygen, as is 
clearly shown by the fact that clean potassium remains 
bright in them. Strong sulphuric acid decomposes and 
destroys the oil entirely. Nitric acid changes it to a 
yellow, oily fluid, similar to the changes produced by 
nitric acid on other oils. Hydrochloric, acetic acids, 
do not affect it. Litharge and other metallic oxides 
3* 


58 


PETROLIA. 


do not change it, nor convert it in any degree to a dry¬ 
ing oil. Potassium remains in it unaffected, even at a 
high temperature. Hydrates of potash, soda, and lime, 
are also without action upon it. Chloride of calcium 
and many other salts manifest an equal indifference to 
it. Distilled with bleaching powders (chlorid of lime), 
and water, in the manner of producing chloroform, the 
oil is changed into a product having an odor and taste 
resembling chloroform. Exposed for many days in an 
open vessel, at a regulated heat below 212°, the oil 
gradually rises in vapors, as may be seen by its stain¬ 
ing the paper used to cover the vessel from dust, and 
also by its sensible diminution. Six or eight fluid 
ounces, exposed in this manner, in a metallic vessel for 
six weeks or more, the heat never exceeding 200°, 
gradually and slowly diminished, grew yellow, and 
finally left a small residue of dark-brown lustrous-look¬ 
ing resin, or pitchy substance, which in the cold was 
hard and brittle. The samples of oil employed were 
very nearly colorless. This is remarkable when we 
remember that the temperature of the distillation was 
above 500° Fah. The oil is nearly insoluble in pure 
alcohol, not more than 4 or 5 per centum being dis¬ 
solved by this agent. In ether the oil dissolves com¬ 
pletely, and on gentle heating is left unchanged by the 
evaporization of the ether. India rubber is dissolved 
by the distilled oil to a pasty mass, forming a thick, 
black fluid, which, after a short time, deposits the india 
rubber. It dissolved a little amber, but only sufficient 
to color the oil red. It also dissolves a small portion 
of copal in its natural state; but after roasting, the 
copal dissolves in it as it does in other oils. 

USE FOR GAS MAKING. 

The crude oil was tried as a means of illumination. 


DAWNING OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHT. 


59 


For this purpose a weighed quantity was decomposed, 
by passing it through a wrought-iron retort filled with 
carbon, and ignited to full redness. The products of 
this decomposition were received in a suitable appar¬ 
atus. It produced nearly pure carburetted hydrogen 
gas, the most highly illuminating of all the carbon 
gases. In fact the oil may be regarded as chemically 
identical with illuminating gas in a liquid form. The 
gas produced equalled ten cubic feet to the pound of 
oil. It burned with an intense flame, smoking in the 
ordinary gas jet, but furnishing the most perfect flame 
with the argand burner. 

These experiments were not prosecuted further, be¬ 
cause it was assumed that other products, now known 
and in use, for gas making, might be employed at less 
expense for this purpose, than your oil. Nevertheless, 
this branch of inquiry may be worthy of further atten¬ 
tion. 


DISTILLATION AT A HIGHER TEMPERATURE. 

The results of the distillation at a regulated temper¬ 
ature in glass, led us to believe, that in a metallic ves¬ 
sel capable of enduring a high degree of heat, we might 
obtain a much larger proportion of valuable products. 
A copper still, holding five or six gallons, was therefore 
provided, and furnished with an opening, through 
which a thermometer could be introduced into the 
interior of the vessel. Fourteen imperial quarts (or, 
by weight, 560 ounces), of the crude product were 
placed in this vessel, and the heat raised rapidly to 
280°C. (=536° Fah.), somewhat higher than the last 
temperature reached in the first distillation. At this 
high temperature, the distillation was somewhat rapid, 
and the product was easily condensed without a worm. 
The product of the first stage was 130 ounces (or over 


60 


PETROL! A. 


28 per cent.), of a very light-colored thin oil, having a 
density of .792. This product was also acid, and as 
before, the acid was easily removed by boiling with 
fresh water. The temperature was now raised to some¬ 
what above 300°C. ( — 572° Fah.), and 123 ounces more 
distilled, of a more viscid and yellowish oil, having a 
density of .895. This accounts for over 43 per. cent, 
of the whole quantity taken. The temperature being 
raised now above the boiling point of mercury, was 
continued at that until 170 ounces, or over 31 per cent., 
of a dark-brown oil had been distilled, having a strong 
empyreumatic odor. Upon standing still for some 
time, a dark blackish sediment was seen to settle from 
this portion, and on boiling it with water, the un¬ 
pleasant odor was in a great degree removed, and the 
fluid became more light-colored and perfectly bright. 
(It was on a sample of this that the photometric ex¬ 
periments were made.) The next portion, distilled at 
about 700° Fah., gave but about 17 ounces, and this 
product was lighter in color and more fluid than the 
last. It now became necessary to employ dry hickory 
wood as a fuel, to obtain flame, and a sufficient heat to 
drive over any further portions of the residue remain¬ 
ing in the alembic. 

It will be seen that we have already accounted for 
over 75 per cent, of the whole quantity taken. There 
was a loss on the whole process of about 10 per cent, 
made up, in part, of a coaly residue that remained in 
the alembic, and partly of the unavoidable loss result¬ 
ing from the necessity of removing the oil twice from 
the alembic, during the process of distillation, in order 
to change the arrangements of the thermometer, and 
provide means of measuring a heat higher than that 
originally contemplated. 

About 15 per cent, of a very thick, dark oil, com- 


DAWNING OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHT. 


61 


pleted this experiment. This last product, which came 
off slowly, at about 750° Fall., is thicker and darker than 
the original oil, and when cold is filled with a dense 
mass of pearly crystals. These are paraffine, a peculiar 
product of the destructive distillation of many bodies 
in the organic kingdom. This substance may be sep¬ 
arated, and obtained as a white body, resembling fine 
spermaceti, and from it beautiful candles have been 
made. The oil in which the crystals float, is of a very 
dark color, and by reflected light, is blackish green, 
like the original crude product. Although it distills at 
so high a temperature, it boils at a point not very dif¬ 
ferent from the denser product of the first distillation. 
The paraffine, with which this portion of the oil 
abounds, does not exist ready formed in the original 
crude product, but it is a result of the high temperature 
employed in the process of distillation, by which the 
elements are newly arranged. 

I am not prepared to say, without further investiga¬ 
tion, that it would be desirable for the company to man¬ 
ufacture this product in a pure state, fit for producing 
candles (a somewhat elaborate chemical process), but I 
may add, that should it be desirable to do so, the quan¬ 
tity of this substance produced may probably be very 
largely increased, by means which it is now unnecessary 
to mention. 

Paraffine derives its name from the unalterable na¬ 
ture of the substance, under the most powerful chem¬ 
ical agents. It is white, in brilliant scales of a greasy 
lustre; it melts at about 116°, and boils at over 700° 
Fah.; it dissolves in boiling alcohol and ether, and 
burns in the air with a brilliant flame. Associated with 
paraffine are portions of a very volatile oil, eupion, 
which boils at a lower temperature, and by its presence 
renders the boiling point of the mixture difficult to 


62 


PETROLIA. 


determine. I consider this point worthy of further ex¬ 
amination than I have been able at present to give it, 
i. e.j whether the last third, and possibly the last half, 
of the Petroleum may not be advantageously so treated 
as to produce from it the largest amount of paraffine 
which it is able to produce. 

The result of this graduated distillation, at a high 
temperature, is that we have obtained over 90 per cent, 
of the whole crude product in a series of oils, having 
valuable properties, although not all equally fitted for 
illumination and lubrication. 

A second distillation of a portion of the product 
which came over in the latter stages of the process (a 
portion distilled at about 650° Fah., and having a high 
color), gave us a thin oil of density about .750, of light 
yellow color and faint odor. 

It is safe to add that, by the original distillation, 
about 50 per cent, of the crude oil is obtained in a state 
fit for use as an illuminator without further preparation 
than simply clarification by boiling a short time with 
fair water. 

DISTILLATION BY HIGH STEAM. 

Bearing in mind that by aid of high steam, at an 
elevated temperature, many distillations in the arts are 
effected, which cannot be so well accomplished by dry 
heat, I thought to apply this method in case of the 
present research. Instances of this mode of distillation 
?re in the new process for stearine candles, and in 
the preparation of rosin oil. I, accordingly, arranged 
my retort in such a manner that 1 could admit a jet of 
high steam into the boiler, and almost at the bottom 
of the contained Petroleum. I was, however, unable 
to command a jet of steam above 275° to 290° Fah., 
and, although, this produced abundant distillation, it 
did not effect a separation of the several products, and 


DAWNING OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHT. 


63 


the fluid distilled had much the same appearance as the 
Petroleum itself, thick and turbid. As this trial was 
made late in the investigation, I have been unable to 
give it a satisfactory issue, chiefly for want of steam 
of a proper temperature. But I suggest, for the con¬ 
sideration of the Company, the propriety of availing 
themselves of the experience already existing on this 
subject, and particularly those who are concerned in 
the distillation of rosin oil—a product having many 
analogies with Petroleum in respect to its manufac¬ 
ture. 


USE OF THE NAPTHA FOR ILLUMINATION. 

Many fruitless experiments have been made in the 
course of this investigation which it is needless to re¬ 
count. I will, therefore, only state those results which 
are of value. 

1. 1 have found that the only lamp in which this oil 
can be successfully burned is the camphene lamp, or 
one having a button to form the flame, and an external 
cone to direct the current of air, as is now usual in all 
lamps designed to burn either camphene, rosin oil, 
sylvic oil, or any other similar product. 

2. As the distilled products of Petroleum are nearly 
or quite insoluble in alcohol, burning fluid (i. e., a solu¬ 
tion of the oil in alcohol), cannot be manufactured 
from it. 

3. As a consequence, the oil cannot be burned in a 
hand lamp, since, with an unprotected wick, it smokes 
badly. Neither can it be burned in a Carcel’s Mechan¬ 
ical Lamp, because a portion of the oil being more 
volatile than the rest, rises in vapor on the elevated 
wick required in that lamp, and so causes it to smoke. 

I have found all the products of distillation from 
the copper still, capable of burning well in the cam- 


64 


PETKOLIA. 


phene lamp, except the last third or fourth part (i. e ., 
that portion which came off at 700° Fah., and rising, 
and which was thick with the crystals of paraffine.) 
Freed from acidity by boiling on water, the oils of this 
distillation burned for 12 hours without injuriously 
coating the wick, and without smoke. The wick may 
be elevated considerably above the level required for 
camphene, without any danger of smoking, and the oil 
shows no signs of crusting the wick tapes with a coat¬ 
ing of resin, such as happens in the case with cam¬ 
phene, and occasions so much inconvenience. The 
light from the rectified naptha, is pure and white, with¬ 
out odor. The rate of consumption is less than half 
that of the camphene, or rosin oil. The imperial pint, 
of 20 fluid ounces, was the one employed—a gallon con¬ 
tains 160 such ounces. A camphene lamp, with a wick 
one inch thick, consumed of rectified naptha in one 
hour, If ounces of fluid. A Carcel’s Mechanical Lamp, 
of J inch wick, consumed of best sperm oil, per hour, 
2 ounces. A “ Diamond Light ” Lamp, with “ Sylvie 
Oil,” and a wick l£ inch diameter, consumed, per hour, 
4 ounces. 

I have submitted the lamp burning Petroleum to 
the inspection of the most experienced lampists who 
were accessible to me, and their testimony was, that 
the lamp burning this fluid gave as much light as any 
which they had seen, that the oil spent more econom¬ 
ically, and the uniformity of the light was greater than 
in camphene, burning for 12 hours without a sensible 
diminution and without smoke. I was, however, 
anxious to test the amount of light given more accu¬ 
rately than could be done by a comparison of opinion. 
With your approbation I proceeded, therefore, to have 
constructed a photometer, or apparatus for the measure¬ 
ment of light, upon an improved plan. Messrs. Gunow, 


DAWNING OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHT. 65 

scientific artists of this city undertook to construct this 
apparatus, and have done so to my entire satisfaction. 
This apparatus I shall describe elsewhere—its results 
only are interesting here. By its means I have brought 
the Petroleum light into rigid comparison with the 
most important means of artificial illumination. Let us 
briefly recapitulate the results of these. 

PHOTOMETRIC EXPERIMENTS. 

The unit adopted for comparison of intensities of 
illumination is Judd’s Patent Sixes Sperm Candle. 

The sperm oil used was from Edward Mott Robin 
son, of New Bedford—the best winter sperm remain¬ 
ing fluid at 32° Fah. The Colza Oil and Carcel’s lamps 
were furnished by Dardonville, lampist, Broadway, 
New York. 

The gas used was that of the New Haven Gas Light 
Company, made from best Newcastle coal, and of fair 
average quality. 

The distance between the standard candle and the 
illuminator sought to be determined was constantly 150 
inches—the photometer traversed the graduated bar in 
such a manner as to read, at any point where equality 
of illumination was produced, the ratio between the 
two lights. I quote only single examples of the aver¬ 
age results, and with as little details as possible, but I 
should state that the operation of the photometer was 
so satisfactory that we obtained constantly the same 
figures when operating the same way, evening after 
evening, and the sensitiveness of the instrument was 
such that a difference of one-half inch in its position 
was immediately detected in the comparative illumina¬ 
tion of the two equal discs of light in the dark cham¬ 
ber. This is, I believe, a degree of accuracy not before 
obtained by a photometer. 


66 


PETEOLIA. 


Table of illuminating power of various artificial 
lights compared with Judd’s Patent Candles as a unit. 

Gas burning in Scotch fish-tail tips, 4 feet to the 

hour.1 : 5.4 

Gas burning in Scotch fish-tail tips, 6 feet to the 

hour.1 : 7.55 

Gas burning in Cornelius fish-tail tips, 6 feet to 

the hour.1 : 6.2 

Gas burning in English Argand burner, 10 feet to 

the hour.1 : 1.6 

Rock Oil, burning in 1 inch wick, Campheue 

Lamp, consuming If ounces fluid the hour.. .1 : 8.1 
Carcel’s Mechanical Lamp, burning best sperm 
oil, 2 ounces fluid to the hour, wick l of an 


inch.1 : 7.5 

Carcel’s Mechanical Lamp, burning Colza Oil_1 : 7.5 

Camphene Lamp, same size as Rock Oil above, 
burning best camphene, 4 ounces fluid per 

hour.1 : 1.1 

“ Diamond Light ” by “ Sylvie Oil,” in ^ inch 

wick, 4 ounces per hour. .1 : 8.1 


From this table it will be seen that the Rock Oil 
Lamp was somewhat superior in illuminating power to 
Carcel’s Lamp of the same size, burning the most costly 
of all oils. It was also equal to the “ Diamond Light ” 
from a lamp of one-half greater power, and consequent¬ 
ly is superior to it in the same ratio in lamps of equal 
power. 

The camphene lamp appears to be about one-fifth 
superior to it, but, on the other hand, the Rock Oil 
surpasses the camphene by more than one-half in econ¬ 
omy of consumption, (i. e., it does not consume one- 
half so much fluid by measure), and it burns more con¬ 
stantly. Compared with the Sylvie Oil and the sperm, 
the Rock Oil gave on the ground glass diaphragm the 
whitest disc of illumination, while in turn the cam- 









DAWNING OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHT. 67 

phene was whiter than the Rock Oil light. By the use 
of screens, of different colored glass, all inequalities of 
color were compensated in the use of the photometer, so 
that the intensity of light could be more accurately 
compared. Compared with gas, the Rock- Oil gave 
more light than any burner used, except the costly Ar- 
gand, consuming ten feet of gas per hour. To compare 
the cost of these several fluids with each other, we 
must know the price of the several articles, and this 
varies very much in different places. Thus, gas in 
New Haven costs $4 per 1,000 feet, and in New York 
$3 50 per 1,000; in Philadelphlia, $2 per 1,000, and 
in Boston about the same amount. 

Such sperm oil as was used costs $2 50 per gallon, 
the Colza about $2, the Sylvie Oil, 50 cents, and the 
camphene, 68 cents—no price has been fixed upon for 
the rectified Rock Oil. 

I cannot refrain from expressing my satisfaction at 
the results of these photometric experiments, since they 
have given the oil of your Company a much higher 
value as an illuminator than I had dared to hope. 

USE OF THE ROCK OIL AS A LUBRICATOR FOR MA¬ 
CHINERY. 

A portion of the rectified oil was sent to Boston to 
be tested upon a trial apparatus there, but I regret to 
say, the results have not been communicated to me yet. 
As this oil does not gum or become acid, or rancid, by 
exposure, it possesses in that, as well as in its wonder¬ 
ful resistance to extreme cold, most important qualities 
for a lubricator. 


CONCLUSION. 

In conclusion, gentlemen, it appears to me that 
there is much ground for encouragement in the belief 


68 


PETROLIA. 


that your Company have in their possession a raw 
material from which, by simple and not expensive pro¬ 
cess, they may manufacture very valuable products. 

It is worthy of note, that my experiments prove 
that nearly the whole of the raw product may be man¬ 
ufactured without waste, and this solely by a well 
directed process, which is in practice, one of the most 
simple of all chemical processes. 

There are suggestions of a practical nature, as to 
the economy of the manufacture, when you are ready 
to begin operations, which I shall be happy to make, 
should the Company require it—meanwhile I remain, 
gentlemen, 

Your obedient servant, 

B. Silliman, Jr., 

Professor of Chemistry in Yale College. 
New Haven, April 16, 1855. 


CHAPTER V. 


COMMENCEMENT AND GROWTH OF THE PETROLEUM 

DEVELOPMENT. 

With the drawing of the drill from Drake’s Well 
came the dawning of the light, whose source had been 
hidden so long in its rock-bound caverns. The mys¬ 
tery was now to be solved that had in previous years 
proved incomprehensible. The problem of nature pro¬ 
viding every article of utility to man, in practically in¬ 
exhaustible quantities, was interpreted in unmistakable 
terms, by the tapping of its rich fountains by the drill 
of the persevering oil miner. The fact, too, was de¬ 
monstrated, beyond a peradventure, that large reser¬ 
voirs of oil that had been giving hints of its existence 
in the springs and upon the streams of Venango Coun¬ 
ty, from the memory of its oldest settlers, and was 
known to their predecessors, the Indians, so long, that 
the beginning was older than their traditions, existed 
in the rocks, many feet below the surface of the earth, 
and could be obtained in what was then thought to be 
very large quantities, by boring artesian wells of suffi¬ 
cient depth. A wonderful excitement was created all 
over the land by the striking of this w T ell, pumping oil 
from subterranean deposits, that was in a few short 
years to become an article so important and indispensa¬ 
ble to the wants and uses of mankind. Thousands, 
from all sections of the country, came to see the won- 


TO 


PETEOLIA. 


derful phenomena that had been reserved for this, the 
most enlightened age of the world. 

Hundreds secured leases in the different localities, 
and very soon scores of new oil wells were commenced. 
Derricks sprang up, as it were almost by magic, in the 
valleys and ravines. The treasure that had so long re¬ 
mained dormant, and existed, as was supposed by prac¬ 
tical men, only in the minds of the visionary, had bud¬ 
ded forth into a reality. At the time of the striking of 
Drake’s Well, the oil so obtained was selling at about 
one dollar per gallon. By the investment of a few 
thousand dollars, the operator had before him the 
chance of securing an ample fortune, not by the slow 
accumulations of years of toil, but in the course of a 
few months, and with a comparatively trifling outlay. 
Never before, in all the history of modern civilization, 
had a more tempting bait been offered to the cupidity 
of man. 

The machinery used by the first operators was gen¬ 
erally of the most primitive character, and the progress 
made in sinking a well was necessarily slow, and the 
labor tedious. Yet the wells were generally of mod¬ 
erate depth, operators being content with the supply 
of oil obtained from the first and second sand-rocks, 
the average depth being from 200 to 300 feet. In a 
short time a number of wells, yielding a daily average 
of from ten to fifty barrels each, were struck at various 
points along the valley of Oil Creek, and on the Al¬ 
legheny Diver, all of which were pumping wells. The 
fact of obtaining oil in such quantities in localities so 
remote from each other, furnished ample evidence of 
the general distribution of its subterranean reservoirs. 
Developments were successfully made at Tidioute, at 
Franklin, and various points along the Allegheny. 
Speculators thronged all the producing localities, and 


rETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 


71 


the excitement that soon prevailed was unequalled by 
any previous mineral discovery, not excepting that of 
California. During these first years, men of abundant 
wealth were slow to make any investment in a develop¬ 
ment that came into existence so suddenly. The first 
operators with few exceptions, were men of moderate 
means, relying more upon their industry and skill than 
upon a lavish expenditure. 

Owing to the impetus given by developments, lands 
around, and even remote from, producing localities, be¬ 
gan to appreciate in value. Many of the farmers of 
Venango County, who had been content in previous 
years to wrest a bare subsistence from its rugged hills 
and valleys, were now bewildered at the golden pros¬ 
pects that loomed up before them. Intense as the de¬ 
sire may have been with many, to retain the old home¬ 
stead, which for generations had sheltered their fore¬ 
fathers, and endeared by all the ties of local attach¬ 
ment, the temptation for acquisition of wealth was too 
great for the large majority. Their farms were pur¬ 
chased by men eager only to obtain the liquid treasures 
supposed to lay beneath their surface. The derrick 
and engine-house frequently occupied the site of the 
old homestead; orchards were levelled for fire-wood, 
or to make room, and the whole face of the country 
was in a few years so entirely changed as to be scarcely 
recognizable by its former possessors. 

But few of the landowners at first developed the 
same at their individual expense. They leased to oper¬ 
ators wishing to put down wells, the size of the lease 
ranging from one to ten acres, according to the means 
of the latter, for a term of years, varying from twenty 
to ninety-nine, for a certain proportion of all the oil 
obtained. The portion obtained by the landowner, or 
land interest, as it is called, was from an eighth to one- 


72 


PETROLIA 


quarter. The lessee was bound by the terms of the 
lease, to commence operations in a specified time, and 
pursue the same with due diligence, to success or final 
abandonment. Abandoning the lease worked for¬ 
feiture. 

When an individual operator secured a lease or 
leases, and lacked the means to develop the same, he 
formed a company or association of individuals. These 
companies consisted frequently of fifty and sometimes 
more. In such cases the assessment was ten dollars 
per share for each member at a time. The cost of sink¬ 
ing a well in the early days was about $1,000, the ma¬ 
chinery for boring and pumping costing about $1,000 
more. These companies were not chartered, nor had 
they any authority by law for holding or chartering 
real estate, any farther than a simple partnership for 
the transaction of business. Each individual member 
of a company was, of course, held responsible for the 
debts of the whole concern, should the creditor demand 
it at his hands. In case of failure, those members pos¬ 
sessed of means, were selected by the creditors to pay 
all the debts. The regularly chartered stock companies 
were of subsequent date, and will be spoken of hereafter. 

The number of wells continued to multiply in many 
portions of Venango County, but more especially along 
the valley of Oil Creek. The total daily product of all 
the wells in June, 1860, was estimated at 200 barrels. 
From that time the production increased rapidly. By 
January, 1861, the daily production reached 700 bar¬ 
rels, and in the Spring of 1861, 1,200 to 1,500 barrels 
per day. 

About this time, as before stated, it occurred to 
some genius, that the pumping well was a slow and ex¬ 
pensive mode of procuring oil from beneath the ground. 
As the supply seemed to come from great depths be- 


PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 73 

low, by reaching the source or fountain, a greater sup¬ 
ply could be obtained without increasing the working 
expenses. To do this, the theorist argued that it was 
necessary to drill or sink the well to a greater depth. 
As steam-power had been generally introduced, this 
could be done without material difficulty. The experi¬ 
ment that gave promise of such important results was 
not very expensive. A well w T as, accordingly, com¬ 
menced, and, regardless of the good “ show ” of oil in 
the first and second sand-rock, the operator persevered, 
until the third sand-rock, which, to present date, has 
been ascertained to contain the largest amount of oil, 
was reached at the depth of between 400 and 500 feet. 
At this depth a cavity, containing gas and oil, was 
tapped by the miner’s drill. This came to the surface 
with such force as to throw the drilling tools out of 
the well, far above the top of the derrick. A column 
of gas and oil followed. The well was tubed, and a 
continuous stream flowed forth, at the rate of from 
1,000 to 4,000 barrels per day, and continued to yield 
at this rate for mouths. Other parties drilled similar 
wells in different localities, with similar results. The 
Burnt Well, on the J. Buchanan Farm; the Phillips 
Well, on the Tarr Farm; the Empire Well, on the 
JMTlhenny Farm ; the Sherman, just above, and several 
others, ranging in daily yield from 1,000 to 4,000 bar¬ 
rels per day, followed in rapid succession. The pro¬ 
duction was increased in a very short time from 1,200 
to between 8,000 to 10,000 barrels per day. 

The effect of this large production upon the business 
was, for the time, disastrous. The prices declined to 
a mere nominal rate, oil selling as low as ten cents per 
barrel at the wells, being cheaper than the water ped¬ 
dled in our streets. Thousands of barrels were wasted, 
being allowed to run into Oil Creek, and no material 
4 


74 


PETROLIA. 


demand existed for the product, even at the low rates. 
An incident will illustrate the slight value set upon it 
by the producers. An acquaintance of the writer sold 
a boat-load of oil at ten cents per barrel. The tanks 
being adjacent to the Creek, the boat was run up along¬ 
side, and loaded, in bulk; that is, the oil ran into the 
open boat, direct from the tanks. The boat had been 
previously measured. After loading, the buyer com¬ 
plained of the measure, claiming that he lacked ten bar¬ 
rels of the necessary amount. The producer, a great 
wag, by the way, gave a signal to his workmen, who 
let a full stream run into the boat, and sunk it. The 
small pumping wells were forced to cease operations, 
and scores became disheartened and abandoned their 
wells. 

The production during the Winter and Spring of 
1861 and 1862, has been variously estimated at from 
12,000 to 20,000 barrels per day. Fifteen thousand 
barrels would be, we judge, a fair average, for the daily 
production of that period. A careful estimate of the 
entire oil field, made in May, 1862, and published in the 
Oil City Register of that date, gives as the daily pro¬ 
duction at that time, 5, 7 IV barrels ; the number of wells 
then flowing, 76 ; the number of wells that had for¬ 
merly flowed and pumped, 62 ; sunk, and in process of 
being drilled, 358 ; total number of wells, 495 ; amount 
of oil on hand, 92,450 barrels ; amount of oil produced 
previous to the date mentioned, 1,000,000 barrels ; cost 
of sinking wells, $498,000 ; cost of machinery, buildings, 
tanks, &c., $500,000. 

The production of 1863 was scarcely half that of 
the beginning of 1862, and that of 1864, still less. In 
May, 1865, the production had declined to less than 
4,000 barrels per day; the valley of Oil Creek being 
the only producing locality at that time. Soon after 


PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 75 


this the marvellous developments upon Pithole Creek 
began to take place. 

In the Winter of 1864 and 1865, the Fraser Well, 
at Pithole, the first in that locality, was struck, and 
flowed, as estimated, January 7th, 1865, 650 barrels 
per day. The striking of this well was the cause of 
the Pithole excitement, which will ever hold a promi¬ 
nent place in the history of Petrolia. Operators 
thronged to the locality. The Holman and adjoining 
farms were soon surveyed into suitable lots, and scores 
of wells were commenced. The results were all that 
could be desired. A production of from 6,000 to 7,000 
barrels per day was soon attained. The United States 
Petroleum Company, of New York, had secured a lease 
of this and several of the adjoining farms on Pithole 
Creek, for twenty years, sometime before this. 

A city sprang up on the bluff adjoining the pro¬ 
ducing wells. ^ The town plat of Pithole City was com¬ 
menced May 24th. November 25th, six months after¬ 
ward, between 400 and 500 houses had been erected. 
Among these were some fifty hotels. The population 
was in a short time after this, estimated at 8,000 It 
had miles of streets, lined with buildings, including 
banking-offices, school-houses, churches, an opera house, 
and other appendages of a first-class modern city. 
Several of its hotels were palatial in size, and truly 
gorgeous in their equipment. The cost of the Chase 
House, complete, was over $80,000; the cost of the 
Morey and Bonta Houses, or hotels, was equally as 
large. 

Twenty-four thousand dollars bonus was given for* 
the privilege of drilling a well on a half acre lease ad¬ 
jacent to the United States Well, the royalty being 
one-half the oil. Strange to relate, the purchaser made 
a handsome profit on his investment by selling it again. 


V 

j- 


76 


PETROL! A. 


After being resold a number of times, the lease was, 
we think, abandoned, nothing but the erection of a der¬ 
rick having been done in the shape of development. 
Sanguine operators located it as the great oil centre, 
and thought they had here found the main source of 
Petroleum supply. Fortunes were made and lost rap¬ 
idly in the wild speculation that followed. 

“ Solitary horsemen,” and horsemen in groups, were 
met on all the roads leading to the new Mecca. Pil¬ 
grims came from every land to worship at its greasy 
shrine. Wagons, loaded with every conceivable article, 
household furniture, drygoods and groceries, engines 
and well-machinery, blocked the roads. Pedestrians 
jflodded steadily through mud and mire. Bearded 
horsemeu, water-proof externally, so far as india-rubber 
garments and high-topped boots could make them, 
floundered through the almost unfathomable depths of 
Holmden Street, then the main thoroughfare of the 
magic city of Petroleum. A great scarcity of females 
at first prevailed. The residents soon brought on their 
families, and began to live more in accordance with the 
ideas of modern civilization. “ Interests for Sale,” 
stared one in the face from almost every house-front, 
and crowds of eager-looking men, of every degree and 
profession, thronged the hotels, saloons, and sidewalks. 
Like Tadmor, and other ancient cities of note, after a 
brief season of unequalled splendor, as far as hopes for 
its future was concerned, Pi thole began to show signs 
of decay. The production of oil decreased to a mere 
nominal figure; fire swept away whole streets of the 
town. A general collapse took place, and at date of 
present writing the main portion of the remaining 
buildings, including the Chase House, have been re¬ 
moved to the new oil field of Pleasantville, to build up 
a similar city with like results. 


PETKOLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 


77 


This and the discovery of new oil fields at Benne- 
hoff Run, and the Stevenson Farm increased the daily 
production to an average from 10,000 to 12,000 barrels, 
which has been the average yield for the last three 
years. 

The excitement caused by the first wells struck, was 
but slightly diminished by the decline in prices, and 
other unfavorable causes. Each succeeding year has 
brought a fresh crop of operators, eager to invest their 
skill and capital in the venture. An ever bounteous 
Providence has likewise each year supplied a new oil 
field, giving better promise than any that had preceded. 

Commencing at Titusville in 1859, the tide of devel¬ 
opment swept over the valley of Oil Creek, and along 
the Allegheny River, above and below Oil City, for a 
considerable distance. Cherry Run, in 1864, furnished 
the first subsequent excitement. Then came Pitliole 
Creek. Bennehoff and Pioneer Run, the Woods and 
Stevenson farms, on Oil Creek, near Petroleum Centre, 
came, in like succession, in 1865 and 1866. Tidioute, 
or rather Dennis Run and Triumph Hill, was a prom¬ 
ising candidate for public favor in 1867, and in the 
latter part of the same year, Shamburgh, on Upper 
Cherry Run, made its brilliant debut. For 1868, the 
Pleasantville oil field furnished the chief excitement. 
And so the development progressed. Each year fur- J- 
nished a new extent of territory for operation and in¬ 
vestment, and we suppose will continue so, until all the 
available territory is drilled over. When the wave of 
reaction rolls back, more system and economy of man¬ 
agement will ensue. 

The exodus of skilled operators from the older oil 
fields to the new ones, caused a perceptible decrease in 
the production of the latter. The production of the 
new fields, consequently, does not more than maintain 


78 


PETROLIA. 


the daily average. Hence, with the new fields of 
Shamburgh and Pleasantville, each of which reported 
a daily production of over 2,000 barrels, we find the 
daily average for 1868 to foot up but little more than 
12,000 barrels. This we give from the most careful 
estimates. In order to keep up this production, each 
month of 1868 has shown an average of about 300 new 
wells in process of drilling. We cannot, of course, in 
the present stage of the development limit the amount 
of production that may be obtained by more extensive 
development. This will be regulated, to a material ex¬ 
tent, by the ruling prices, and the increase of consump¬ 
tion which regulates the whole. The prices have, of 
course, exercised a ruling influence upon the extent of 
development of each year. A statement of these and 
their effects, will give the reader a clearer conception 
of the business in all its different bearings. 

The first oil obtained from the well of the Pennsyl¬ 
vania Rock Oil Company, in 1859, sold at fifty cents 
per gallon. By July, 1860, the price at the wells had 
declined to seven cents per gallon. In October, it w^as 
ten cents per gallon. It advanced steadily until Jan¬ 
uary 1st, 1861, when it reached twenty-five cents per 
gallon. It continued at about that figure mitil toward 
the end of February. On the 1st of March, it was 
fifteen cents; on the 18th of March, ten cents per gal¬ 
lon. The decline continued with the increasing supply, 
until just before the discovery of the large flowing 
wells. In the Summer, the price had fallen to five 
cents per gallon or two dollars per barrel. The sudden 
and immense increase of the production almost entirely 
destroyed its value. Thousands of barrels were allowed 
to rim to waste, and the sales made in August and Sep¬ 
tember were as low as fifty, twenty-five, and thirty 
cents per barrel, some sales, during July, being made 


PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 79 

at ten cents per barrel. Sales were made at forty cents 
per barrel, in October, November, and December, and 
some sales at thirty-five cents per barrel. In January, 
1862, the price had advanced to five cents per gallon. 

Nearly all these purchases proved unprofitable. The 
great flood of oil reduced the price at the seaboard to 
nine cents per gallon in May, 1862, causing a loss to 
the seller of the first cost of the oil, and from one to 
two dollars per barrel in addition. 

The want of demand in the home-market, caused 
the enterprising merchants who had ventured in the 
trade, to seek in Europe for new fields for its consump¬ 
tion. The first shipments abroad were made in Octo¬ 
ber, 1861. The exports for that year were 1,112,476 
gallons, or 27,812 barrels. When this flood reached 
the European ports in the Summer of 1862, the same 
destruction of values took place that had occurred in 
this country. Parties who had bought in New York, 
at nominal prices, suffered heavy losses. But the article 
had been forced upon public attention; and, although 
for a time, the markets were overstocked, the way was 
opened for future and increasing demand. 

The suspension of specie payments in the Spring 
of 1862, and the subsequent rapid advance in the price 
of gold, greatly contributed to reanimate the oil busi 
ness, speculation revived, and, in October, the price 
was carried as high in New York as fifty cents per gal¬ 
lon. By December it had receded to twenty-five cents 
per gallon. During the year 1863, it ranged between 
eighteen and twenty-five cents. In 1864 the advance 
in price was rapid, from twenty-nine and a quarter cents 
in January, to fifty-six cents per gallon in July. It 
continued high with some fluctuations until January, 
1865, when crude was selling at forty-nine to fifty 
cents. The advance in the price of gold and exchange, 


80 


PETROLIA. 


which began in the Spring of 1862, and continued un¬ 
til it reached its maximum in the Summer and Fall of 
1864, soon carried up prices to a point at which the oil 
would pay all expenses of transportation, and give the 
producer a profit of from three to seven dollars, and 
at one time even ten dollars, per barrel at the wells. 
This soon stimulated development. Wells that a few 
months before were unprofitable, owing to the pre¬ 
ceding low prices, became of immense value. 

Speculation in oil lands, and the organization of 
stock companies, under the laws of the different States, 
followed to an enormous extent. Lands were bought 
at high prices, and resold again at advanced rates, or 
were revalued by the holders at an immense advance, 
and used by them in the formation of stock companies, 
by means of which the stock was sold wherever the 
spirit of speculation had been sufficiently excited by 
flaming prospectuses, newspaper reports of sudden for¬ 
tunes made by the operators, or other means used for 
the purpose. Many of these companies were fraudu¬ 
lent, but the majority, we are willing to believe, were 
honestly organized, and conducted with integrity. The 
capital stock of these companies, over 1,000 in number, 
as stated in their prospectuses, was as near as we can 
approximate, about $600,000,000. 

The amount of capital thus withdrawn from other 
> pursuits, or from the savings of the community, and 
applied to the purchase and development of oil land, 
cannot be accurately estimated, but is supposed to have 
exceeded $100,000,000. 

The speculation was at its greatest height when our 
generals, using the immense resources placed by the 
country at their disposal, brought the rebellion to a 
sudden close, and restored to something like its true 
value, the national currency which, under the apprehen- 


PETKOLEUH DEVELOPMENT. 81 

sion of the failure of the Union, had depreciated as low 
as forty cents on the dollar. Gold, which compared 
with the currency, had been worth over 250 per cent., 
and even as high as 285, declined to 130. The returns 
from the shipments of Petroleum and the currency 
price at home, were reduced to a great extent, and as 
the cost of transportation and other expenses continued 
with but little change, the effect was again disastrous 
upon the business. The great flood of March, 1865, 
destroyed a large amount of oil and other property, 
numbers of wells, and reduced the production. The 
war tax, of one dollar per barrel, which went into 
effect in April, 1865, still further depressed the busi¬ 
ness, and disheartened those engaged in it. The ex¬ 
posure of the fraudulent nature and worthlessness of 
many of the oil companies added to the depression. 

In the meantime, prices began to advance abroad, 
owing to a large increase of the consumption, a gen¬ 
erally increased demand, and diminished supply. A 
large number of wells were sunk by the companies 
organized the Fall and Winter previous. Although 
most of these proved unprofitable, owing to various 
causes, chief among which was the lack of experience 
on the part of those entrusted with their management, 
or insufficiency of means, some few were highly prof¬ 
itable. 

The total production of Petroleum for the year 1865, 
was estimated at 2,830,000 barrels crude, which, added 
to the stock on hand, January 1st, 1865, was equivalent 
to 2,312,000 barrels refined, of which the home con¬ 
sumption was 839,000 barrels, the exports, 677,000 
barrels, and the leakage, 154,840 barrels, leaving a 
stock on hand, January 1st, 1866, of about 640,000 
barrels refined. The average price per barrel of crude 
on Oil Creek, are given as follows: 

4* 


82 


PETKOLIA. 


CURRENCY. 


GOLD EQUIVALENT, 


1862.$1.15 



1863 

1864 

1865 


3.25 

8.13 

6.71 


2.24 

4.00 

4.27 


The foliowing general remarks are given respecting 
the course of the trade during 1865, from a carefully 
prepared report, made at its close : 

“ The production was exceedingly light until sum¬ 
mer, in consequence of accidental causes. These being 
removed, a steady increase was gained later, which 
carried the daily yield to a full average of any of the 
previous years. Nevertheless, the supply in our markets 
was inadequate throughout; during the first half of the 
year, on account of the light production ; later, because 
there were no facilities to forward the quantities 
gained from the new oil fields, except at an expense 
too high to be generally incurred. The demand for 
home consumption was steady and increasing; for ex¬ 
port, very light during the first five months (the ship¬ 
ments for 1864 having been excessive), but later, large 
and too heavy for the limited supply on our markets. 
The value of the article was steady during the first 
part of the year, later, continually advancing, and dur¬ 
ing the last months it was sustained at a height which 
had in previous years been but occasionally reached by 
speculative movements. The average value of the 
article during 1865 was about twenty per cent, higher 
than in 1864, although our paper currency appreciated 
on an average about twenty-nine per cent, as against 


1864 


“ After the production has, during 1865, been above 
twenty per cent, larger than in 1864, while the demand 
for the article has increased about twenty-five per cent., 
we have now ample stocks left in the country, and if the 





PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 


83 


yield of the wells continues large, the supply will, there¬ 
fore, probably be for the current year, plentiful if not 
excessive, and a reduction of our present exceptional 
prices necessary. Under these circumstances it is more 
to be regretted that the cost of producing and forward¬ 
ing the oil is now very high, far above the rate at which 
we will in future be able to export our over supply.” 

The above sets forth some of the principal reasons 
for the falling of! in prices in 1866. The daily produc¬ 
tion for the Fall and Winter of 1865 and 1866 was 
estimated at about 12,000 barrels. By May, 1866, this 
production had fallen off about one-third. This falling 
off was mainly attributable to the rapid decrease of the 
production of the Pithole oil field. 

Prices ruled steady for 1866, ranging, for the aver¬ 
age, from four to seven dollars per barrel. The devel¬ 
opment was considerable, owing to the efforts made by 
the numerous oil companies to develop their lands. 

The impetus given the trade during the previous 
years of 1864 and 1865, carried it through a greater 
portion of 1866, notwithstanding the many premoni¬ 
tions of a general collapse. Early in May, 1866, the 
Government tax on crude was repealed, but the abate¬ 
ment of the tax failed to induce higher prices. The 
bursting of the oil bubble was imminent. One com¬ 
pany after another failed to meet the expectations of 
sanguine stockholders. The prices, however, were 
remunerative. 

Considerable anxiety was manifested by holders of 
all kinds of property to realize on the same. As a con¬ 
sequence, a rapid reduction of the values of the two 
preceding years took place. A flood in the Spring, a 
number of very destructive conflagrations in various 
parts of the Oil Region, amounting in all to a loss 
equivalent to from $4,000,000 to $5,000,000, expedited 


84 


PETKOLIA. 


the general collapse. The oil companies fell, m the 
Fall and Winter of 1866 and 1867, one after another, 
like a row of bricks. Thousands who had purchased 
the stocks were overwhelmed in the ruin that followed. 
Its reaction upon the Oil Region itself, was terrible; 
all classes were affected by it. 

The construction of the Oil City and Pi thole Rail¬ 
road, from Oil City to Pithole, a distance of about fif¬ 
teen miles, along the Allegheny River, the Reno and 
Oil Creek Railroad, from Reno, midway between Oil 
City and Franklin, to the upper end of Cherry Run, 
crossing the valley of Oil Creek at Rouseville, and the 
extension of the Meadville Branch of the Atlantic and 
Great Western Railway from Franklin to Oil City, 
were among the notable events of 1866. The comple¬ 
tion of these roads, and the extending of the Oil Creek 
Railroad, with its important connections at Corry, 
down the valley of Oil Creek to Shaffer, and the laying 
of a number of oil pipes for transportation of the oil 
from the wells to the various shipping points, changed 
the entire mode of transporation. Thousands of team¬ 
sters and boatmen were thrown out of employment. 
These classes constituted a large element of the consum¬ 
ing part of the general population, and all branches of 
domestic trade dependent thereon, were rendered unprof¬ 
itable and speedily abated. The transportation of oil from 
the wells to the various shipping points was dependent 
chiefly upon teams in former years, while the Allegheny 
River furnished the main outlet for the product to 
Pittsburgh, the principal oil market. The average 
load of oil to each team was from five to seven barrels, 
the weight of a barrel of oil being about 360 pounds. 
The cost of transportation by this mode was from one 
dollar and fifty cents to three dollars and fifty cents 
per barrel, according to distance. In some cases higher 


PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 


85 


pi¬ 


rates were paid. The introduction of more reliable, 
cheaper, and rapid transportation sensibly affected 
prices, but this was more than compensated by placing 
the general trade upon a more permanent basis. 

The year 1867 was one of general depression and- 
low prices. Thousands of acres of the lands of defunct 
oil companies, and scores of engines, as well as a vast 
amount of machinery, were sold by the sheriff of Ven¬ 
ango County for debt and taxes. A general thinning 
out of superintendents, operators, and business men, 
from all the principal localities took place. Pithole 
with its numerous hotels, vast expectations and large 
productions, which had shown visible signs of decay in 
1866, vanished into thin air. Other magnificent em¬ 
bryo cities followed, or, rather, had preceded it. Oil 
was sold at the wells as low as one dollar and twenty- 
five cents per barrel, and the highest price attained 
during the year, was four dollars and eighty-five cents 
per barrel. The price of refined was reduced in like 
ratio. The low prices induced the building of iron 
tanks at Oil City and other shipping points, of a ca¬ 
pacity from 6,000 to 15,000 barrels, for the storing of 
the oil. The amount of iron tankage thus constructed 
reached over 1,000,000 barrels in 1868, fully half 
of which is at Oil City. 

The building of the Farmers’ "Railroad from Oil 
City to Petroleum Centre, a distance of seven miles, 
along the valley of Oil Creek, connecting at Petroleum 
Centre with the Oil Creek Railroad, early in the sea¬ 
son, afforded cheap transportation to Oil City. At this 
point connections were made with the Atlantic and 


Great "Western Railway, and with the Warren and 
Franklin, which company had obtained possession ot 
the Oil City and Pithole Railroad, forming connection 
at Irvineton, their terminus, Avitli the Philadelphia and 


86 


PETKOLIA. 


Erie Railroad, and affording abundant transportation 
to all the principal points, East and West. 

The Allegheny Valley Railroad, which had been 
commenced at the beginning of 1867, was finally com¬ 
pleted to Oil City during the Winter of 1867 and 1868. 
This road, extending from Pittsburgh to Oil City, fol¬ 
lowing the course of the Allegheny River for the entire 
distance, completed the railway circle, by furnishing 
connection with the only required outlet. Late in the 
season, the Warren and Franklin Railroad obtained 
control, by lease and purchase, of the Farmers’ Rail¬ 
road, and consolidated it with their own, and com¬ 
menced to run shortly afterward over the Oil Creek 
Railroad to Corry, connecting with the Philadelphia 
and Erie Railroad at that place, thus forming a com¬ 
plete circle of railway through the most productive 
portions of the Oil Region. 

The sacrifices made in the sale of property by the 
r sheriff during 1867, and the Winter of 1868, was very 
great. Engines, the first cost of which was from $2,500 
to $3,000, sold as low as twenty-five and fifty dollars 
each. Other machinery and even the lands, were sold 
at similar rates, in porportion to their first cost. 

The new oil field at Dennis Run, adjacent to 
Tidioute, which at its maximum reached a production 
of from 2,000 to 3,000 barrels per day, increased, or, 
rather kept up the aggregate production to a fair figure, 
while the low prices stimulated consumption and ex¬ 
port. The cheap rates at which engines and other 
machinery for oil wells, as well as skilled labor could 
be obtained, invited a large amount of capital, and pre¬ 
parations were made for extensive developm mt in 1868. 
The prices ruling during 1867, owing to the greatly 
reduced rates of transportation, enabled oil producers 
to weather the storm, while those engaged in business, 


PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 


87 


established on a legitimate basis, by the adoption of a 
system of rigid economy, managed to get through the 
season without serious loss. The reaction, and the con¬ 
sequent reduction of former values to their real worth, 
was a serious matter to many, but upon the ruins of the 
exploded oil bubble the business was being built up on 
a permanent basis. 

At the commencement of 1868 prices ruled quiet at 
$2.70@$2.80 per barrel, closing for the month firm at $2 
@$2.15. The market appreciated steadily during the 
subsequent months until June. At the commencement 
of that month there was a material advance, and prices 
reached $4.50, and at the close of the upward movement, 
$4.90@$5. The highest figures attained during the 
month on the Creek was $4.90@$5.25, and at Oil City, 
$5.00@$5.25. During the balance of the year, prices al¬ 
ternated beween $3.75 and $4.90 per barrel, and occa¬ 
sionally reached $5@$5.10. Owing to the improved 
means of transportation, and cheaper rates of machinery, 
labor, and the uniform successes of the general develop¬ 
ment, the general business for the year 1868, the first 
upon the new basis, may be stated as a highly prosper¬ 
ous one. All classes engaged in the trade reaped an am¬ 
ple share of the rich harvest. The foreign demand for 
export and the home consumption required about the 
entire product, the stock on hand January 1st, 1869, 
being scarcely 500,000 barrels. 

The best commencement the business has yet had 
is shown at the commencement of 1869. Prices ad¬ 
vanced to $5@$6 per barrel at the commencement, and 
sales during subsequent months were at a higher figure. 
All branches of business have been re-invigorated; and 
the season of 1869 promises to be one of unexampled 
prosperity, and the development will exceed that of 
any of the preceding years. 


CHAPTER VI. 


GEOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE OIL REGION. 

The geology of the oil country has not been as 
satisfactorily explained, as could be desired, owing 
to the fact of no complete survey having ever been 
made, except the State Survey made by Professor 
Rogers, previous to the Petroleum development. Sub¬ 
sequent eminent geologists have expressed various 
opinions, and made partial surveys, resulting in frag¬ 
mentary information. This has been published in such 
a form, that we are unable to give the credit that is 
due, for the reason that several uncompleted investiga¬ 
tions, or, rather, investigations confined to certain lo¬ 
calities, have been made. Professor Ridgway made a 
partial survey of the valley of Oil Creek several years 
since. Professor Rogers’ report is, after all, the most 
reliable authority on the subject, and his survey was 
made previous to the oil discovery. Therefore we 
give from the best sources we can get the following 
abstract report, published a few years since, as the best 
yet made: 

“ The geological strata of Oil Creek and vicinity 
has been described by eminent geologists to consist of 
conglomerates, slates, and shales. 

“ Conglomerate rock is made up of pebbles, mixed 
with more or less sand, and all cemented into a close, 
hard rock. These pebbles, vary in size and qualitv 
in various localities, being usually of quartz, though 


FEATURES OF THE OIL REGION. 


89 


sometimes of sandstone; and they are found from the 
size of a pea to that of a goose-egg, and occasionally 
even, though not in our portion of the State, with a 
diameter measuring four to five inches. They have 
evidently been formed into the shape in which we now 
find them, by the action of the water tumbling, push¬ 
ing, and rolling them together, and sweeping them 
along, by which the sharp angles they must have had 
when first torn from their native bed, have been broken 
and worn away by attrition, until they present the 
well-known smooth and rounded form, which so dis¬ 
tinctly characterizes them. 

“ The conglomerates of this vicinity belong to what 
is called the vespertine formation in the Pennsylvania 
Survey. It is found in situ, or in its native bed, only 
upon the tops of the highest hills, but pieces of it, which 
have been broken off by their own weight, after the 
softer rock beneath had been decomposed and washed 
away, are found scattered over the hillsides, sometimes 
in immense masses or blocks, which are so enduring as 
to defy the action of the elements, and bear record in 
tlieir ruins of the former conditions and changes which 
their more yielding neighbors, the sandstones and slates 
could not survive* 

“ As found here it is not coarse, the pebbles being 
rarely larger than hickory nuts; and they become 
smaller as we trace this formation westward, while the 
opposite will hold good if we go eastward. The 
accompanying vespertine sandstones and slates also be¬ 
come finer in their textures, and the whole formation 
becomes thinner as it spreads westward from 2,600 
feet on the Susquehanna River to not over 100 to 150 
feet on Oil Creek. 

“ From this thinning down of the mass towards the 
west, and a corresponding change in the texture, from 


90* 


PETROLIA. 


coarse to fine, we are led to believe that the materials 
from which the rocks of this formation are composed, 
were derived from a continent lying on the east or 
northeast of the Appalachian range, previous to their 
upheaval; and that these materials, after being brought 
down to the sea through the channels of rivers flowing 
west or southwest, were distributed to their present 
location by the powerful ocean currents that were sub¬ 
ject, doubtless, to laws similar to those which govern 
our present great rivers of the sea. 

“ For a familiar illustration take a long mill-pond or 
a lake with a creek flowing into it at one extremity and 
out at the opposite—the creek will bring down, espe¬ 
cially at the time of a flood, large quantities of loose 
stones, pebbles, sand, black mud, or vegetable mould, 
and blue mud or clay; and it will dispose them over 
the bottom of the pond or lake in the order in which 
we have named them ; that is, at the upper end of the 
lake, at the mouth of the creek, will be found the large 
stones, then the smaller ones or pebbles, then, as the 
current became less, the black mud was deposited, and 
finally, the blue clay, which the water held longest, and 
carried farthest; and the beds will be found to become 
thinner as they become finer in texture, thus corre¬ 
sponding to the conglomerates, sandstones, slates, and 
shales of the New York State and Pennsylvania forma¬ 
tions of the secondary series.” 

“ It will be readily inferred from the above, that a 
sandstone is only a very fine conglomerate; also that 
black carbonaceous slates may be attributed to vege¬ 
table origin; and that argillaceous shales or the soap¬ 
stones of the Oil Regions, are derived from clayey 
formations. 

“ The vergent series of rocks, so-called by Professor 
Rogers, is immediately below the vespertine, and it 


FEATURES OF THE OIL REGION. 


91 


corresponds to the Chemung and Portage groups of 
the New York State geologists. This formation con¬ 
sists of sandstones, slates and shales, interspersed with 
the sandstones in their layers, varying from live to 
fifty feet in thickness, while the slates and shales are 
found in immense deposits, sometimes 800 or 1,000 feet 
in thickness. To this series, doubtless, belong the 
sandstones, slates, and shales which appear in the bluffs 
along the valley of Oil Creek, throughout its entire 
length ; also the first, second, and third sandrocks of the 
wells, with their intervening slates and shales, as far as 
the drill has yet penetrated, and how much deeper it 
extends is unknown. It is not improbable the fourth 
sandrock of Pithole corresponds to the third of Oil 
Creek, and, in fact, the later developments, where the 
third sandrock has been found at the depth of 750 to 
900 feet, in localities adjacent, proves this, as well as 
that the first at Pithole is identical with the one found 
above the bottoms along the bluffs of our valleys; 
although it is by no means impossible that the con¬ 
tinuity does not exist, for the reason that there may 
have been causes operating at the time when these rocks 
were deposited, which produced local changes and vari¬ 
ations of greater or less importance. A third sandrock 
is found on Church Run, while no trace of one is found 
on the flats around Titusville, even at the depth of 
1,200 feet; and the third sand, or great oil bearing 
rock of the valley of Oil Creek, disappears at the upper 
end of the Foster farm, and we have not learned that 
any has been found in any portion of the valley above.” 

The rocks above described are stated to belong to 
the paleozoic rocks, because containing the most an¬ 
cient remains of ancient animal and vegetable life yet 
discovered, stretching all the way between the gneissic 
formations beneath and the lowest ol the coal deposits 


92 


PETROLIA. 


above. Sometimes they are denominated “ fossilifer- 
ous,” “ sedimentary,” or “ secondary ” rocks. 

“ In Pennsylvania,” says Professor Rogers, “ this 
class has been deposited during all the four earliest 
periods of the great European divisions, namely, the 
Cambrian, the Silurian, the Devonian, and the Carbon¬ 
iferous. No traces of the fifth, or Permian group, have 
as yet been discovered in North America. * * * 

The prolonged succession of sedimentary action ceased 
with the close of the Cambrian system, being termin¬ 
ated by the upheaval of the ocean, in whose broad bed 
and around whose margin these deposits had collected.” 

The same eminent authority states that the vergent 
series abounds in the remains of marine vegetation, and 
also, that the aggregate thickness of all the rocks be¬ 
longing to the classes above described, measured at 
their greatest depths, is not less than thirty-five thou¬ 
sand feet! 

Those of our readers who are fearful that the several 
sandrocks of to-day may eventually become exhausted 
of their deposit, can surely take courage from this last 
statement, for it is possible that oil-bearing sandrocks 
may exist at intervals for this entire distance. Im¬ 
proved machinery and a cable of length and weight 
will be required, in such wells. What language would 
be adequate to describe the feeling of reverential awe 
that would fill the frame of the oil miner of some future 
period, as he commenced to “ sand-pump ” from the 
last one of this series at the above-mentioned depth ! 

There is nothing very remarkable about the phys¬ 
ical features of the Oil Region. The most productive 
portion has been aptly described as in the shape of an 
irregular quadrangle, each of its sides being from 
twenty to thirty miles in length, the axial line nearly 
corresponding with the course of Oil Creek. Subse- 


FEATURES OF THE OIL REGION. 93 

quent developments have changed this to nearly an ob¬ 
long square. The general face of the country is rug¬ 
ged and hilly. As far as present development extends, 
operations have been confined to the valleys of Oil 
Creek and the Allegheny River, and a portion of its 
northeastern slope. The Allegheny is the principal 
stream, and flows nearly through the centre of Venango 
County, but from the peculiar structure of the land, it 
runs towards every point of the compass in its course. 
According to Eaton, Franklin is elevated about 750 
feet above Pittsburgh, so that there is a fall in the 
Allegheny of five and a third feet to the mile. From 
Franklin to Meadville, about thirty miles by the course 
of French Creek, there is an ascent of 130 feet, or four 
and a third feet, on an average, to the mile. 

Oil Creek, from Oil City to Titusville, a distance 
of about seventeen miles, is estimated to have a fall 
somewhat greater than French Creek. 

The main producing portion is an elevated table 
land, sloping toward the lakes and Allegheny River, 
with the summit at or about Pleasantville—the hills 
become higher in descending the valley of Oil Creek, 
from 150 feet in height just below Titusville to 450 to 
500 feet at Oil City. The approaches to the Allegheny 
River from Meadville to Franklin, consist of a grade, 
or downward slope. Starting from a nearly level coun¬ 
try, the same phenomena are perceptible as along the val¬ 
ley of Oil Creek, heights gradually increasing in alti¬ 
tude until the objective point, the Allegheny is reached. 

The principal streams are the Allegheny River; 
French Creek, which enters the Allegheny River at 
Franklin ; Oil Creek entering the Allegheny at Oil 
City, seven miles above Franklin. Besides these are 
numerous other small streams. The tributaries of 
French Creek are Patchell’s Run, Sugar Creek, Mill 


94 


PETROLIA. 


Creek, and Deer Creek. The tributaries of Oil Creek 
are Cherry Run, Cherry Tree Run, and Cornplanter 
Run. Pith ole Creek is sixteen miles above Franklin ; 
Hemlock, twenty-one miles; Horse Creek, eleven 
miles; Tionesta, thirty miles.. Above these are East, 
West, and Little Hickory. Two Mile Run, is two 
miles above Franklin. Below Franklin, are East San¬ 
dy, Big Sandy, and Scrubgrass. 

Abundance of good water prevails. Springs gush 
forth from the hillsides, and even from the tops of the 
highest hills. The proportion of good farming land is 
small, the general surface of the country being un¬ 
favorable for extensive agricultural operations. Ven¬ 
ango County was taken from Allegheny and Lycoming 
Counties, by an Act of Assembly, passed March 12, 
1800 , and organized for judicial purposes by Act of 
April 1 , 1805 . In 1839 its proportions where some¬ 
what lessened by the organization of Clarion County 
from a portion of its eastern territory, and still later by 
the addition of a portion of its northern territory to 
the new county of Forest. The county now forms an 
irregular figure with many angles ; and contains as esti¬ 
mated about 800 square miles. The population in 1800 
was 1 , 130 ; in 1810 , 3 , 060 ; in 1820 , 4,915 ; in 1830 , 
9,470; in 1840 , 17,900 ; in 1850 , 18,310 ; in 1860 , 
25 , 044 . The present population, transient and resident, 
vve should estimate at from 75,000 to 100 , 000 . 

The climate is in the highest degree healthy, 
although the seasons are somewhat irregular. The 
general humidity of the atmosphere from the heavy 
Spring and Fall rains, is not conducive, so far as our 
observation has extended, to any material extent, to 
rheumatic and pulmonary complaints. Bilious and 
typhoid fevers prevail during some seasons, though 
generally in a mild form, and never as yet to any great 


FEATURES OF THE OIL REGION. 


95 


extent. To the city resident, worn out with toil, the 
pure mountain breezes of the Oil Region are bracing 
and invigorating. Many who came here in impaired 
health have, after a short residence, attained a degree 
of robust vigor they have scarcely ever possessed be¬ 
fore. This fact will be apparent to the stranger who 
will observe the appearance of the active residents of 
Petrolia. The health of those engaged around the oil 
wells, who are constantly inhaling the pungent odor 
of Petroleum, fresh from its hidden depths, has long 
since passed into a proverb. The degrees of cold and 
heat are similar, in most general respects, to that of 
elevated table lands in all portions of the world. 


CHAPTER VII. 


TRANSPORTATION—EARLY AND LATER MODES OF. 

The principal business of this portion of Pennsyl¬ 
vania, during the earlier years, was the preparing and 
bringing to market the lumber obtained from the Up¬ 
per Allegheny and its tributaries, which were bordered 
by heavy pine forests. 

The lumber prepared during the season was con¬ 
veyed to Pittsburgh, and other points along the Ohio 
and Mississippi, by making the logs or sawed material 
into large rafts, and floating them to their destination 
whenever the water in .the river was high enough for 
successful navigation. The heavy Fall and Spring rains 
rendered these seasons the most auspicious. The head¬ 
waters of Oil Creek were one of the chief lumbering 
localities, and a large number of saw-mills were erected 
thereon. In order to get the lumber to the Allegheny 
from its tributaries, when the latter did not afford a 
sufficient depth of water for the purpose, the, usual 
practice, as among lumbermen,generally, was to dam 
up the water at the head of the stream sufficiently to 
furnish an artificial rise in the stream, when it was let 
loose, for the entire length of the same, the lumber and 
logs being floated down on the artificial floods thus 
created. In order to do this, cooperation on the part 
of mill-owners and all parties interested, was necessary 

The modus operandi was as follows : 

A general understanding was had among the lum- 


MODES OF TRANSPORTATION. 


97 


bermen and mill-owners, and a day fixed on. At the 
specified time, the sluice gates of all the upper and 
lower dams were raised, and the water allowed to 
accumulate at the main dam, a short distance below 
Titusville, the water-way, or sluices of all these being 
so constructed as to allow the passage of lumber, logs, 
&c. The lower or main dam was so arranged, by 
means of strong uprights, called “ brackets,” or “ splash¬ 
boards,” that on a given signal they could be cut 
loose, and the entire accumulation of water allowed to 
flow into the narrow stream of the Creek, furnishing 
an average depth of about three feet in the shallowest 
places, and having a duration of several hours, generally 
three to four. The arrangements having been com¬ 
pleted, on the specified day the rafts were all collected 
in the various basins above the main dam. The signal 
was given, the brackets or splash-boards of the main 
dam cut away, and after waiting for a few minutes, 
until the water had attained full headway, in order to 
prevent the rafts from running ahead of the u rise,” in 
which case they grounded, or became fast, upon the 
first shallow place, furnishing a fair target for all who 
followed, to crash against or run over—the lines were 
cast loose, and guided by long oars, with sweeps fast¬ 
ened on each end, and in charge of competent pilots 
and ample crew, the rafts started on their journey, 
swiftly borne along on the swirling waters. 

Oil Creek has an average width of scarcely sixty 
yards, and it required no small degree of nerve and 
skill in the management of these unwieldy crafts, to 
avoid collision and great loss of property, as well as 
imminent danger to life and limb. The sound of the 
rushing waters, bearing upon their surface the numer¬ 
ous rafts of boards and logs, the long sweep-blades 
flashing in the sunlight as the stalwart raftsmen 
5 


98 


PETROLIA. 


pulled starboard and larboard, or right and left, as the 
ease required, around the bends of the Creek, the occa¬ 
sional wreck of some devoted craft, demolished in a 
moment by those behind acting as huge battering 
rams which no human structure could successfully resist, 
not unfrequently followed by a general “ jam,” the 
shouts of direction and excitement resounding among 
the rugged hills that lined the banks of the stream for 
its entire distance, furnished a scene that was grand in 
its picturesque novelty, and of excitement to the partici¬ 
pants in the highest degree exhilarating. 

The journey to the mouth of the Creek being suc¬ 
cessfully made, the sections that had been thus floated, 
were fastened together in large rafts, and in charge of 
a competent river pilot and crew, embarked for the 
ports along the Ohio and Mississippi, that furnished 
the chief markets. The raftsmen not required to form 
the regular crew, returned to the forests again, and 
there remained until a succeeding occasion required 
their services. 

Such, in brief, was the pond-freshet of early days ; 
and in all general respects, those used by oil operators 
in later years to convey their oil from the wells to Oil 
City, the principal shipping point, were similar, except 
that the pond-freshet was furnished exclusively for oil 
boats, and these were some distance below the lower 
or main dam. 

The mode adopted by early operators, and in use to 
present date, of storing or saving the oil as it came 
from the wells, was by means of wooden vats or tanks, 
cylindrical in shape, made of jointed pine planks, and 
hooped with iron, ranging in capacity from 100 to 
1,200 barrels each. In the days of the leviathan spout- 
ers, these, in localities, were so numerous as to cover 
acres. The transportation furnished at the present 


MODES OF TRANSPORTATION. 


99 


date, saves to the operator the expense then incurred, 
one or two tanks, of moderate size, being all that is 
required, each farm having one or more large iron 
tanks for permanent or transient storage. 

The only mode of land-carriage at the date of 
which we are writing, consisted of hauling the oil from 
the wells to Oil City and the other shipping points, by 
means of two-horse wagons. The gross weight of a 
barrel of oil averages about 360 pounds. From five to 
seven barrels of oil constituted a load for a wagon. 
The main and by-roads, when much used, especially in 
wet weather, soon attained a depth of mud that, in any 
other locality but this, would have been deemed im¬ 
passable, being composed for the most part of the debris 
of the sand-stone that becoming loosened from the hill¬ 
sides, rolled down upon the level flats at their base. 
This soon became decomposed and incorporated readily 
with the alluvial soil of the latter, affording but slight 
foundation for the heavily-laden wagons that thronged 
them. The oil dripping from the barrels, mixed thor¬ 
oughly with the dirt of the road-bed, the travel of 
horses and wagons kept it from drying, thus insuring, 
in perpetuity, the most disagreeable, pasty mass that 
ever man or beast forced a way through. 

Oil Creek mud attained a fame in the earlier and 
subsequent years, that will ever be fresh in the memory 
of those who saw and were compelled to wade through 
it Teamsters and horsemen swore both loud and deep 
at it. Newspaper correspondents exhausted all their 
adjectives, epithets, and expletives in essaying to give 
a faint description of its demerits. Weary pedestrian 
pilgrims, (the original “ carpet-baggers,”) like Bunyan’s 
Christian, were inclined to part with their knapsacks 
after a brief experience; ministers of the Gospel and 
devoted laymen, earnestly desired sustaining grace 


100 


PETROLTA. 


while urging their weary beasts over and through it. 
Mud, deep, and indescribably disgusting, covered all 
the main and by-roads in wet weather, while the streets 
of the towns composing the chief shipping points, had 
the appearance of liquid lakes or lanes of mud. When 
it is taken into consideration, that from 1,000 to 2,000 
laden oil teams traversed the main street of these 
daily, a sufficient reason for its existence is manifest. 

The moving of a few thousand barrels of oil from 
the wells to the different shipping points, never over 
ten to twelve miles distant, and generally from three 
to five, was a herculean task. Broken wagons, oil bar¬ 
rels, filled and empty, lined the roads during a rainy 
season. Tankage at first was expensive and the prices 
of oil low. The general price of oil barrels was from 
three to four dollars, even when oil sold at the wells at 
ten and twenty cents per barrel, the contents scarcely 
averaging one-twelfth of the value of the package con¬ 
taining it. At the commencement of the oil develop¬ 
ment, the oil wagon furnished the only mode of trans¬ 
portation from the wells to the shipping points. Though 
slow and annoying to dealer and shipper, it was the 
best that offered, and continued to monopolize the car¬ 
rying trade for some time. But finally a material 
change was brought about. In what age of the world’s 
history has the genius of man failed to be equal to the 
emergency! Some one, unknown to the present his¬ 
torians, and, consequently, lost to undying fame, to 
whose memory the oil trade should erect a suitable 
monument, solved the existing difficulty, and provided 
the means of practically carrying out his conceived 
ideas. The plan was, in effect, the employment of flat- 
bottomed boats, to hold the oil in bulk or barrels, and 
the employment of the pond-freshets to float the said 
boats, when laden with oil, from the wells to that great- 






. 

- 


































1 












THANSPOUTATION—MOUTH OF OIL CREEK IN TIME OF HIGH WATER. 



























































































































































































































































































































































MODES OF TRANSPORTATION. 


101 


ly desired haven, Oil City, at the mouth of Oil Creek. 
The idea was speedily adopted. Flat-bottomed boats 
were procured from the Upper Allegheny, and from 
every other point where they were built, or were 
brought up the river from Pittsburgh. These consisted 
of boats of every size and kind, from large barges, and 
metal boats, used to convey pig-iron from the furnaces 
to the manufactories, of a capacity of from 1,000 to 
1,200 barrels, to the diminutive “ guiper,” as it was 
called, a small flat boat, holding from twenty-five to 
fifty barrels. When prices ruled low, oil was shipped 
in bulk, that is, run into boats and barges. When 
prices ruled high, shippers did not care to risk so 
much, and used barrels. At first the oil was run into 
open boats. This plan was soon found to be impracti¬ 
cable, from the fact that any slight agitation or rocking 
motion of the water, set the large body of loose oil in 
motion, and often capsized the boat, spilling out the 
greasy cargo upon the surface of the water of the 
Creek or the Allegheny, along which it floated to the 
Ohio, or even beyond, to the intense disgust of the 
worthy burghers of all river cities that obtained their 
water supply from said streams. 

To obviate all such accidents, compartments, water¬ 
tight, were built across the oil barges, each compart¬ 
ment of a capacity of from 80 to 100 barrels, the same 
securely decked over, and the obstacle surmounted. 
The late Mr. Richard Glyde, of Pittsburgh, built the 
first boat of the kind, applied for, and secured a patent 
for the application of this principle to oil boats. But 
he found it impossible to enforce his claims, and soon 
gave up the idea of collecting the moderate per centage 
claimed upon all oil so run, as a royalty for the use 
of his patent. 

Arrangements were made with the mill-owners at 


102 


PETKOLIA. 


the head-waters of the Creek, for the use of their surplus 
water at stated intervals. A large fleet of boats, suita¬ 
ble for both river and creek, were soon collected, and 
ample transportation furnished for all the wells adja¬ 
cent to the Creek. The boats were towed up the 
Creek by horses from the mouth of Oil Creek, at Oil 
City, to various points on the farms along its banks. 
When laden with oil from the wells, they were floated 
to Oil City by the pond-freshets, in the same manner as 
the lumber-rafts before described, with all the attend¬ 
ing incidents and accidents, but far greater loss, owing 
chiefly to the nature of the cargo, and the frail material 
used in the construction of the boats. 

The mill-owners furnishing the water used for pond- 
freshets, were paid by the shippers for the same. The 
prices for the several years averaged from $100 to $250 
each, and in exceptional instances $300 to $400 were 
paid for a single pond-freshet. This amount was col¬ 
lected from the shippers by a superintendent, employed 
for the purpose, and who had general charge of all the 
arrangements; a tax of a few cents per barrel upon the 
shipments being levied for the purpose, the amount 
varying according to the price paid for the freshet, the 
sum paid the mill-owner and the superintendent’s 
salary, being the only expenses incurred. 

A large number of boats were employed in this 
branch of the business. The amount of oil brought out 
upon one of these pond-freshets averaged from 15,000 
to 20,000 barrels; the highest amount ever brought out 
of the Creek upon a single freshet, not exceeding 
40,000. The number of freshets had depended upon 
the season, price, and the stage of water in the river. 
When the latter was in navigable order to Pittsburgh, 
the number was greater. From two to three per week 
was the average then; in other seasons one each week, 


MODES OF TRAN SPORT ATION. 


103 


or less, as the occasion required. The class of boats 
employed in the transportation of oil from the wells on 
the Creek, were smaller than those used on the river, 
the cargo of the Creek boats being transferred at the 
oil wharves at Oil City. 

In the best days of boating, the number of these 
on Creek and river, was estimated at 1,000. Besides 
these were an average of from twenty to thirty steam¬ 
ers, passenger, and tow-boats. All the passenger boats 
carried oil as freight, while the tow-boats towed down 
the full boats and brought back those that had dis¬ 
charged their cargo of oil, these being generally laden 
on the return-trip with empty barrels, coal, and acids, 
for refiners’ use. The average price of oil boats and 
barges ranged from seventy-five cents to one dollar per 
barrel of their tonnage capacity. The value of the 
steamers employed in the trade averaged from $25,000 
to $30,000 each. The entire oil fleet furnished employ¬ 
ment to about 4,000 men. The number of teams em¬ 
ployed, at the height of the business, in 1864 and 1865, 
was not less than 4,000, employing more than double, 
that number of horses. The number of horses employed 
in towing, both upon the river and Creek, was also 
large. No one would like to believe in the doctrine of 
the transmigration of souls, after witnessing the hard¬ 
ships of the tow-horses. Compelled day after day, to 
toil against the rapid current of Oil Creek, attached to 
heavy boats and barges, in all seasons when that stream 
was not closed by ice, their lot was, indeed, a hard one. 
In a very short time the hair was removed from their 
legs, by the action of the greasy water, which also 
caused a species of eruption on their limbs, very pain¬ 
ful to the poor beasts. A pair of horses lasted but a 
short time, and their carcasses were frequently seen 
floating on the stream. On land, the destruction of 


104 


PETEOLIA. 


,* v 

wagons, teamster’s morality, and horse-flesh, was 
equally great. But as the price of a team was fre¬ 
quently earned in a week, the loss of these animals was 
not deemed a serious matter. The teamsters brought 
their horses and wagons from this and the adjoining 
counties, and even from adjoining States. 

Rich, indeed, was the golden harvest reaped by 
teamsters and boatmen in those days. They made 
their own terms, regardless of the ruling prices of the 
product, never failing to take advantage of the necessi¬ 
ties of the shipper. As a consequence, the latter gen¬ 
erally had a light margin left, after all expenses were 
paid. But a far less amount of capital was required to 
transact business upon than now, the producer, as a 
general thing, being willing to sell on reasonable time, 
giving the buyer a chance to realize on the product, 
and pay for it out of the proceeds. Confidence in each 
other was the ruling trait of those engaged in the busi¬ 
ness. The disastrous reaction following close upon the 
wild speculation of 1864 and 1865, that swept over the 
oil country in 1866 and 1867, destroyed, to a material 
extent, men’s confidence in each other’s solvency, and 
the financial failures of those years caused the adoption 
of a strictly cash system in the buying and selling of 
oil, as well as in all other business transactions. 

The pond-freshet of the oil boats was a novel and in¬ 
teresting scene. The number of boats generally aver¬ 
aged about 200, and the distance from Oil City to the 
ISToble Well, the highest point on Oil Creek to which 
they were towed, about eleven miles. The larger class 
of boats were generally from 80 to 120 feet in length, 
by 15 to 20 in breadth; the smaller ones from 20 to 50 
feet in length, and of corresponding width. All these 
boats were of light draught, generally from fifteen to 
twenty inches, and never exceeding three feet. As 


MODES OF TRANSPORTATION. 


105 


before stated, public notice was given of each pond- 
freshet, and the boats towed up the Creek, loaded and 
made ready. The first notice had after this, was the 
rushing flood. Then it was that all the nerve of the 
boatmen and pilots was called into play. When a 
fair start was had, but little difficulty occurred. But a 
great anxiety prevailed among the boatmen to be 
among the first to start, and thus avoid the danger of 
collisions and “jams.” A laden boat, starting with the 
rise in a stream, will always run ahead of the water, 
and ground fast on the first shallow place. This not 
unfrequently happened during the pond-freshets of Oil 
Creek, and was the general cause of the numerous acci¬ 
dents that occurred. The boat thus aground was gen¬ 
erally swung around by the force of the stream broad¬ 
side to the current, where it soon filled with water and 
sunk. As the boats coming after had but little steer¬ 
age way, even a small boat thus aground presented a 
serious obstacle, unless it should be totally demolished 
by the first collision. If the boat were of large size, a 
French Creeker, for instance, built with heavy oaken 
gunwales, that projected like a prow from each of its 
ends, an effectual barrier was formed, the size of these 
boats, much used on the Creek on account of their 
strength, being such as to occupy a greater portion of 
the channel. Against this obstacle the advancing boats 
dashed with great force, the weaker ones becoming 
splintered from the concussion, and the stronger ones 
being wedged fast, in the order which they came, and 
thus formed what is known among raftsmen and 
boatmen as a “jam.” 

The smaller boats were run over and sunk by the 
larger ones ; the weaker, crushed by the stronger boats, 
were splintered, the surface of the Creek deluged with 
their contents, and in a few moments a large number 


106 


PETEOLIA. 


of boats of all sizes were entangled in an almost inex¬ 
tricable mass. The confusion, dire and indescribable, 
that reigned for a time, was only equalled by that of a 
battle. Finally, a passage would be effected by some 
of the leading boats that were intact, and those that 
were not disabled followed, perhaps to meet with sim¬ 
ilar disasters during the remainder of their brief voy¬ 
age. In cases where the fall of the water, caused by 
the freshet, was rapid, the boats in the “jam” re¬ 
mained, and the oil had to be taken out of them, that 
is, all that had not been carried off by the current. 
Several narrow places, where islands occurred in the 
Creek, the old Forge Dam, at the Clapp farm, the pier 
at the M’Clintockville Bridge, the pier of the bridge at 
Oil City, and the sand-bar at the mouth of the Creek, 
were localities where these “jams ” generally occurred. 
Tbe centre piers of the bridges, and the bar formed at 
the mouth of Oil Creek, being considered the most 
formidable. The boatmen frequently miscalculated 
their distance, missing the current which formed the 
channel between the pier and abutments, were forced 
broadside upon the pier of the bridge, where they re¬ 
mained, similar to a pair of old-fashioned saddle-bags, 
being soon broken in twain by the force of the current 
or advancing boats. When a boat thus fastened, was 
laden with bulk oil, or oil in bulk, the cargo, in a very 
few moments, was emptied into the stream. A “jam’ 
frequently ensued from this cause. 

The freshets were seldom had without loss, in cases 
amounting to thousands of barrels. The freshet of 
May, 1864, resulted in a loss of from 20,000 to 30,000 
barrels. Upon several occasions, the ladened boats at 
the upper end of the Creek broke loose at the first rush 
of the pond-freshet torrent, sweeping the banks clear of 
all those fastened below, breaking their strong cables 



FRESHET JAM AT MOUTH OF OIL CREEK, MAY, 1864. 

























































































































































































































































































































































































































































































■ 










































MODES OF TRANSPORTATION. 


107 


like pack-threads, making a general wreck along the 
Creek for its entire length. When the wrecked boat 
contained oil in bulk, the cargo proved a total loss to 
the shipper, and if the boatman insured its delivery, he 
lost his trip ; if in barrels, the greater portion was gen¬ 
erally recovered, the boatman, in all cases, having to 
bear the loss or damage to his boat. When the water 
had receded after the freshet, the boat if not seriously 
damaged, was raised and repaired for the next freshet. 
When this was not possible, a new one was purchased. 
In Ike latter years, shippers employed their own boats. 
Pond-freshet days were regarded by the residents of 
the Creek as a general holiday and a frolic. All who 
could spare the time came down on the boats. These, 
together with the boatmen, would frequently number 
from 1,000 to 1,200. The influx of so large a crowd in 
the course of a few hours, gave to Oil City a busy ap¬ 
pearance. The wharves were crowded with boats ; the 
bar-rooms, saloons, and streets thronged with the hur¬ 
rying multitude, and thousands of barrels of oil were 
bought and sold in a few hours. After a brief sojourn, 
the producers and boatmen returned to their homes 
and avocations, and the town was again comparatively 
quiet. 

Many of the terms in use among boatmen were 
highly expressive. Prominent among these was the 
term u snubbing.” When necessary to check the head¬ 
way of a boat, one of the crew jumps ashore with the 
line, which he makes fast by passing the rope round a 
tree or stump, and pays out the line gradually, the 
peculiar hitch allowing the line to revolve or slip, at 
the will of the boatman holding the end of it. The 
headway of the boat was thus checked gradually. The 
operation is one requiring both skill and nerve, espe¬ 
cially when it was desired to check the headway of a 


108 


PETROLIA. 


heavily laden boat or a raft. It was done usually in 
order to effect a suitable landing, or to lower a craft 
from one locality to another a short distance below. 
The crew of a Creek boat was from three to five, 
according to the size, and on river boats a larger num¬ 
ber were required. The average rates of freight from 
the wells to Oil City, was from fifteen to seventy-five 
cents, and occasionally one dollar per barrel, according 
to distance. By flat-boat, from Oil City to Pittsburgh, 
the average during the year was from forty cents to ' 
one dollar per barrel. In times of extreme low water, 
the rates were higher. By steamboat, fifty to seventy- 
five cents per barrel. The general duration of the 
pond-freshets was from three to four hours. 

The wagon-train of the Oil Region merits some¬ 
thing more than a passing notice. During all seasons 
the roads were thronged with them. Summer’s scorch¬ 
ing rays and winter’s fierce blasts, caused but slight 
diminution in their numbers. Though the prices charged 
by them were generally higher than the market rates 
of oil would justify, their labors were severe, and we 
do not think, as a class, the teamsters were overpaid. 

In the height of the Pithole excitement, the enterpris¬ 
ing citizens of Titusville constructed a plank road from 
that place to the producing wells of Pithole by way of 
Pleasantville. General Avery, of military fame, or¬ 
ganized a wagon-train that was employed between the 
two places, and realized handsomely from the venture. 
The greater number of these teams were drawn from 
agricultural pursuits in this and the adjoining counties, 
greatly interfering with farming operations. Neither 
wagons nor boats are now used to any material extent. 
The first scream of the locomotive whistle, and the 
introduction of iron pipes to convey the oil from the 
wells to the shipping points, rendered their further use 
unprofitable. 


MODES OE TRANSPORTATION. 


109 


It was not long before the immense freight traffic 
of Oil Creek and the Allegheny River, attracted the 
attention of the managements of the various railroads 
centreing toward the Oil Region. The Atlantic and 
Great Western Railway first built a branch road from 
their main stem, at Meadville, to Franklin, a distance 
of about thirty miles. Their main line made its East¬ 
ern connection with the Erie Railroad at Salamanca, 
with the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad at Corry, and 
its Western connections were made at Cleveland, O. 
The Oil Creek Railroad projected about the same time, 
connecting with the Atlantic and Great Western and 
the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad at Corry, was built 
from the latter place to Titusville. The Oil Creek 
Road gradually extended its line down the valley of 
Oil Creek, reaching Shaifer in 1865, and its final ter¬ 
minus, at Petroleum Centre, in 1867. In the Fall and 
Winter of 1865 and 1866, the Atlantic and Great 
Western commenced the extension of the Meadville and 
Franklin branch of their road from Franklin to Oil 
City. During the same Fall and Winter, the Warren 
and Franklin Railroad Company built their road along 
the valley of the Allegheny to Oleopolis, at the mouth 
of Pithole Creek. The Oil City and Pithole Railroad 
Company also built their road, from Oil City to Pit- 
hole, connecting with the Warren and Franklin Rail¬ 
road at Oleopolis, and extending up Pithole Creek to 
the producing wells. About the same time, the Reno 
and Oil Creek Railroad, was built by the Reno Oil and 
Land Company. This road crossed the valley of Oil 
Creek at or near Rouseville, and from thence up 
Cherry Run to Plumer. The grade was completed to 
Pithole, but the failure of the company prevented its 
completion beyond the point named. All these roads 
were in operation at the opening of the Spring of 1866, 


110 


PETROLIA. 


the Atlantic and Great Western having been completed 
to Oil City in March of that year. The interests of the 
general business were materially advanced by the com¬ 
pletion of these roads. Early in 1867, the Farmers’ Kail- 
road, extending from Oil City to Petroleum Centre, a 
distance of about seven miles along the valley of Oil 
Creek, was built by some New York capitalists. This 
completed the circle, and the Pennsylvania Oil Region 
had now a direct connection by rail, with all the prin¬ 
cipal railroads East and West, North and South, and 
with the commercial cities of the country. In January, 
1868, the Allegheny Valley Railroad, originally pro¬ 
jected from Pittsburgh to Franklin, and which had the 
year previous been finished to the mouth of Mahoning 
on the Allegheny, was completed to Oil City. The War¬ 
ren and Franklin Railroad Company, which had some¬ 
time previous obtained possession of the Oil City and 
Pith ole Railroad, purchased the Farmers’ Railroad, and 
took possession of the same, January 1st, 1868, and 
arrangements were made with the Oil Creek Railroad, 
for the use of their track to Corry, and thence, by 
Philadelphia and Erie Road, to Irvineton, the terminus 
of the Warren and Franklin Railroad. The Warren 
and Franklin, Farmers’ and Oil Creek Roads, have 
lately been consolidated under the name of the Oil Creek 
and Allegheny River Railroad. A third rail allowing 
the passage of broad gauge cars, has lately been laid 
on the line of the Farmers’ and Oil Creek Roads, thus 
giving a decided advantage to the Atlantic and Great 
Western and the Erie Roads. The railroad of the 
Cranberry Coal Company was also built in 1867, from 
their mines to Oil City, a distance of four and a half 
miles. The Jamestown and Franklin Railroad is now 
being extended to Oil City. This will be an important 
road for the interests, as it comes through the immense 


MODES OF TRANSPORTATION. 


Ill 


coal beds of Mercer County, adjoining Venango, and 
also furnish.es a short route to Cleveland as another out¬ 
let for the product. 

The advent of railroads in such rapid succession, 
soon revolutionized the mode of doing business. A 
pair of wooden tanks, of about forty barrels’ capacity 
each, mounted on a platform car, and securely fastened, 
furnished the means of transportation tor oil from the 
wells to Oil City and the other shipping points, as the 
same could be taken direct to the distant cities of New 
York and Philadelphia, whence the export trade is 
chiefly supplied, without change of cars. 

The general depression of all kinds of business, and 
consequent low prices of the Petroleum product, in 
1867, was the chief cause of the commencement of the 
storage business in the Oil Region. Experience of 
former years had satisfactorily demonstrated that tanks 
of boiler iron, securely rivetted, similar in shape to the 
wooden ones then in use, but of larger capacity, afforded 
the best means of preserving oil securely from fire, 
leakage, and rapid evaporation. Early in 1867, the 
building of iron tanks was commenced. They are of 
cylindrical shape, composed of boiler iron, in sheets, 
well rivetted, varying in capacity from 6,000 to 20,000 
barrels each. Top and bottom are of iron or wood, 
generally the latter. When the top is of wood, it is 
set in just below the edge of the tank, and from four to 
six inches of water kept constantly upon it. Stop-cocks 
at the bottom allow the egress of the oil or water. 
The oil is pumped in and out of them by powerful 
steam pumps. Switches are built to those of the tanks 
not directly on the line of the railroad, or connection 
made with iron pipes. The oil from the tank cars is 
run direct into the receiving tanks and pumped from 
these into the iron tanks, and is loaded into tank cars 


112 


PETROLIA. 


by the same means, a platform, supporting the supply 
pipes, being erected at a proper height alongside or 
near the iron tank. Pipes have also been laid across 
the Allegheny, connecting with iron tanks on the Ven¬ 
ango City side, or direct with the cars of the Allegheny 
Valley Railroad. 

The amount of iron tankage in the Oil Region at 
the present date is a few hundred barrels in excess of 
a million. Its distribution will be found in our statis¬ 
tics. The qualities of the iron tanks for resistance to 
fire, have been often and amply tested. A tank of this 
kind, belonging to Fisher Brothers, of Oil City, was 
subjected to the most intense heat from a burning tank 
of oil a few feet distant from it, built of wood and sunk 
in the ground, for eleven hours, neither contents nor 
tank sustaining serious injury, the iron tank being 
nearly full of oil. The tank itself was frequently red 
hot on the side next to the fire. So intense was the 
heat, that the wooden supports of the roof of the tank 
were charred as if by action of fire. One or two tanks 
of this kind have been destroyed by fire, but they were 
nearly empty. Those that were full, and had their tops 
securely fastened, have so far,, come out of the fiery 
ordeal unscathed. The iron tanks are also free from 
leakage, and allow but a slight degree of evaporation, 
as compared with the old-fashioned wooden ones. 

Owners of oil farms have erected one or more of 
these tanks on most of the farms, in which are stored 
their own, and the oil of the lessees, until it is sold. 
Iron tanks, for both crude and refined, are used on the 
different railroads. Shipments are made in these from 
the wells or refineries of the Oil Region, direct to the 
eastern cities. By means of these and other facilities, 
the transportation business, so far as oil is concerned, 
has been reduced to a science, as it were, rendering 


MODES OF TRANSPORTATION. 113 

loss almost impossible, and insuring economy and the 
greatest possible despatch. 

No material product of the country has a more 
comprehensive and perfect system of transportation by 
railroad, oil pipes, and by water, than has Petroleum. 
This system, too, is becoming better each year, keeping 
pace witli the necessities of the trade. The railroads 
traverse the entire Oil Region, forming as it were a 
circle, having four outlets : At Oil City, by the Alle¬ 
gheny Valley and Atlantic and Great Western; at 
Corry with the same and Philadelphia and Erie; at 
Meadville, by the Atlantic and Great Western ; and at 
Irvineton, by the Philadelphia and Erie. The Alle¬ 
gheny River, likewise, furnishes ample means of trans¬ 
portation to Pittsburgh during seasons of high water, 
at w T hich time it is a formidable railroad rival. In former 
years, before the railroad lines were completed through 
the Oil Region, oil was shipped exclusively in barrels. 
As a consequence, fully one-third of the capital of the 
shipper was thus invested. The present mode of ship¬ 
ment, by means of tank cars, dispenses with this expense, 
and also saves in bulk, the tank car having an average 
capacity of 80 barrels. 

Oil pipes for the transportation of oil from the wells 
in localities where railroads have not yet been con¬ 
structed, are now laid from all such localities to the 
shipping points on the railroads. These consist merely 
of a two-inch iron pipe laid in a trench a few feet in 
in depth, in the ground. Where the gravitation is in¬ 
sufficient, powerful pumps are placed at proper dis¬ 
tances, which forces the oil through. No difficulty has 
yet been found in running the oil at all seasons. In the 
coldest weather, crude oil, like alcohol, does not freeze, 
at least we have never knowm of such an occurrence. 
Elevation or distance, seem alike powerless to prevent 


114 


PETROLIA. 


its successful working. At the time of the adoption 
of this system of oil transportation, it was proposed to 
lay pipes from the wells to the principal cities, and thus 
have a complete monopoly of the carrying trade. Still 
later, the project has been seriously considered by cap¬ 
italists, of conveying the surplus gas of the wells to 
New York, Philadelphia, and other cities, to be used 
in place of the illuminator now furnished from coal 
gas. Petroleum gas will furnish a better and far 
cheaper light than is now furnished, and the supply is 
inexhaustible. The project of conveying it from the 
wells to any given distance, is feasible, in fact it can 
be easily done. It could also be used as fuel for manu¬ 
factories, and for domestic purposes, in cities or dense¬ 
ly populated districts. 

The Oil Pipe Company ships the oil from gauge- 
tanks located on the farms, contracting to deliver at 
their tanks, the amounts as shown by the gauge of the 
same at their receiving tanks upon the railroads, sub¬ 
ject to the shipper’s order. At many places small 
rotary pumps are attached to the engine, and the 
oil pumped, as it comes from the well, to the gauge- 
tanks. The average rate charged by the Pipe Company 
is twenty to thirty cents per barrel. The system works 
admirably. Some complain that the Pipe Company 
manages to secure a monopoly in the selling market, 
and generally has the fixing of the market rates. But 
such will ever be the case where capital controls, and 
results in no material disadvantage to the general busi¬ 
ness. 

In the foregoing pages we have endeavored to show, 
from the commencement, the means of transportation 
used to convey the Petroleum product from the wells, 
the place of production, to the principal markets of 
this continent. The rapid progress made in this essen- 


MODES OF TRANSPORTATION. 


115 


tial branch of the business, is one of its most remark¬ 
able features. The magnitude of the shipment can be 
seen by reference to the statistical portion of this work. 
Never have the necessities of a trade, as regards means 
of transportation, been more promptly met. The ag¬ 
gregate capital stock of the different railroads built for 
its almost exclusive transport, amounts to from $ 25 , 000 ,- 
000 to $ 30 , 000 , 000 , and the investment has thus far 
proved one of the best of the kind in the country, net¬ 
ting to the different lines enormous profits. The ca¬ 
pacity of the different railroads is about equal to the 
production, and can be increased to any required ex¬ 
tent. The business now is in the ninth year of its age, 
and six railroads, having a length in the aggregate of 
over 200 miles, have been already built for the trans¬ 
portation of the product to the principal markets. And 
so far from exhibiting any signs of culmination, it does 
not seem to us, at least, to have fairly commenced to 
grow. Upon every railroad in this country, and in fact 
those of the greater portion of the civilized world, is 
the traveller greeted with the pungent odor of Petro¬ 
leum, as oil trains are whizzed past. The sails of the 
Petroleum fleet spread themselves over every sea, and 
never, in so short space of time, has a product, mineral 
or otherwise, attained such a universal and well-de¬ 
served notoriety. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


METHOD OF PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT-BORING OIL 

WELLS. 

As a guide to man, Nature has in all ages shown 
the existence of her mineral resources by certain visible 
indications, or unmistakable signs upon the earth’s sur¬ 
face. Thus indicated, mankind have not as yet tailed 
in appliances and skill to develop the same. Coal and 
iron cropped out of the hills; gold, the blessing and 
curse of mankind, a blessing by its use, and a curse by 
its abuse, made its appearance in the sands of streams, 
and other mineral products in like manner. While, as 
before described, Petroleum has manifested its existence 
from time immemorial, by its exudations from springs? 
streams, the rocks, and even from the earth itself. By 
a special dispensation of Divine Providence, its general 
development, or rather discovery, in any appreciable 
quantity, was deferred to about the middle of the pres¬ 
ent century. At no other age of the world could Pe¬ 
troleum have been so universally utilized and appre¬ 
ciated. 

The artesian system of boring deep wells, had been 
perfected and practiced long before the discovery of 
Petroleum or its uses were thought of. Thus at the 
commencement the oil miner had all the necessary ap¬ 
pliances to operate with. The drilling tools and other 
mining apparatus used by salt miners, in a more modi¬ 
fied and simple form, furnished all that was requisite 
for testing and obtaining the rich deposits of oil that 


PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 


117 


had for so many ages, lain beneath the surface of the 
valleys and the rugged hills of Venango County. The 
success of Drake’s well, in 1859, proved the existence 
of the treasure so assiduously sought for, in no stinted 
supply, and furnished exact information as to the means 
to be used for obtaining it. Of course, it was unrea¬ 
sonable to suppose that a deposit of this nature was 
confined to the limit of a few acres or square miles. 
Wells, similar to Drake’s, sunk at various points along 
the valley of Oil Creek, proved amply, by striking good 
veins of oil, how unfounded any assumption of the kind 
would have been. As was natural, the first oil drill¬ 
ers placed great faith in “ surface indications,” as the 
outward appearance of oil bubbles in springs, streams, 
or from the rocks were called. The appearance of a 
globule of oil on the surface of a stream, seemed natur¬ 
ally enough to indicate the existence of a reservoir of 
oil in the immediate vicinity, while the flats, forming 
the valleys, offered the best facilities for mining opera¬ 
tions. 

Acting upon these hints, the early operators erected 
their derricks as near the edge of the streams as the 
nature of the banks of the same would allow, and even 
built piers or cribs of stone, upon which the derrick 
and engine-house was erected, in the stream itself. 
Only a short period of time was required to prove the 
fallibility of the first surface indications, so many wells 
located with direct reference to the same having proved 
failures. The valleys, great and small, formed by wa¬ 
ter courses, were from the beginning considered the 
best for oil production. The existence of oil .upon the 
surface of streams, was the main reason for the adop¬ 
tion of this theory. In brief, any apparent surface in¬ 
dication, immediately around a good producing well, 
was eagerly scanned, and its counterpart, in any gen- 


118 


PETROLIA. 


eral respect, assiduously sought for in that and the sur¬ 
rounding localities. 

A good memory often enabled its possessor to at¬ 
tain a high reputation as standard authority, from 
whom all necessary information required for the selec¬ 
tion of a proper site to sink a well with a prospect of 
successful results, could be obtained. The ancient oil 
pits were drilled through, but in few cases was the 
miner rewarded for his trouble. Oil springs, whose 
existence was co-equal with the first occupation of the 
soil by the races that preceded the white man, exhibited 
a similar obstinacy in refusing to shed a single ray of 
light upon the subject sought for so earnestly. The 
wells drilled in the streams, likewise, failed to make a 
favorable response. All the indications so apparently 
pointing the first operators to successful results, did not 
prove satisfactory in all general respects. Still they 
were sufficient to prove a general guide to operators, 
scant indeed, but sufficient to stimulate those engaged 
in the business to vigorous effort. 

The science of geology was invoked, and has shed 
more light upon the subject, by defining the position 
and nature of the different strata beneath the earth’s 
surface, than anything else. Yet even this science, be¬ 
fore whose mighty shadow we bow with reverential 
awe, has not proved a practical guide to the operator 
in a great majority of instances. The sinking of a 
shaft several feet in diameter, with drifts into ad¬ 
jacent territory, in different directions, open for the 
inspection of the human vision, would doubtless be of 
great utility, in fact, indispensable to successful results. 
The drilling or boring, as it is generally termed, a 
four and a half inch hole into the ground for the depth 
of from 500 to 800 feet, is a different affair. The sur¬ 
face once penetrated by the drill, the balance of the 


PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 


119 


operation is as slightly visible, beyond the exhibit 
made by debris brought up in the sand-pump, as an 
opaque body could well be. Though the formations 
perforated by the drill at the present day, guide with 
tolerable certainty to the desired depth where the oil 
is found, it is nothing more than the results obtained 
in the drilling of wells in other localities, in pre 
vious years, and is liable to vary, even at a distance of 
a few feet or rods, much less a distance of several 
miles. The knowledge of oil mining, subject as the 
operator is to far less opportunities for the exact defin 
ing of the depth of the rocks containing the oil de¬ 
posits, than has been exhibited in previous mineral 
discovery, cannot, with any considerable degree of 
accuracy, be acquired only by long years of practical 
application and experience. 

It will be thus seen, that the early operators, with 
no other light than had been afforded by the drill¬ 
ing of salt wells, had no ordinary trial before them, in 
commencing and sinking an oil well, and were ready 
to make use of any theory, that might be advanced, 
provided it gave evidence of practicability. They 
well knew that only by experiments, many of which 
would prove futile, could desired‘results be finally ob¬ 
tained. 

As those who professed to have no faith in signs or 
indications, and scouted at theory, drilling their wells 
wherever a suitable location offered, were on the aver¬ 
age as successful as those who followed the former to 
the letter, faith became shaken in oil springs and other 
so-called “ surface indications,” and more practical the¬ 
ories were sought for. And strange to relate, when¬ 
ever a good well, located with special reference to 
signs, indications, or preconceived theory, was struck, 
this same class of skeptics, who “ did not believe in 


120 


PETROLIA. 


such things,” were among the first to procure leases in 
close proximity as possible to it, erecting their derricks, 
so far as practicable, in a line with that of the fortunate 
well, upon the side which the oil vein was supposed to 
be. 

Hydro-geology, so long known and practised by 
experts to designate the exact location of water veins 
below the earth’s surface was brought into requisition, 
and had a host of advocates in the earlier and subse¬ 
quent years. Numerous wells located by its professors, 
proved successful, enabling those who made it a regular 
business, to realize handsomely. Hydro-geology, as it 
is termed, is the use of the hazel or peach-tree rod to 
point out the depth of the water veins in the earth, for 
the purpose of indicating the proper place for digging 
water wells. It has been practised for as long a period 
as can be remembered, and of late has been elevated, 
in France, to the dignity of a science. The manner or 
mode of operating is as follows : The natural fork of a 
hazel or peach-tree twig is taken, having its limbs of 
equal size and length, and the leaves stripped off to the 
main stem. The ends of the limbs are grasped firmly, 
one in each hand, with the back of the hands down¬ 
wards, being at the Same time extended from the body. 
The assertion of its believers is that the existence of 
oil beneath the surface where the stick or rod is thus 
held, will be indicated by the revolving of the forked 
end toward the earth, having the two extremities for 
an axis. The explanation given by its experts is, that 
there is a kind of magnetism by which the rod is dis¬ 
turbed and set in motion, and the possession of the 
same is limited to certain persons. We give the ex¬ 
planation for what it is worth, and are free to confess 
our inability to see any philosophical reasoning in it. 
The experiment cost but a trifle, and operators, conse¬ 
quently, were willing to test its efficacy. 


PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 


121 


Spiritualism, likewise, had its advocates. Several ^ 
good wells were obtained that had been located, as 
asserted, by parties who professed to be guided by 
revelations made by spirits or spiritualistic manifesta¬ 
tions. The latest instance of the location of a well by 
this means, was the Harmonial well, at Pleasantville, 
one of the first to obtain oil. In this case, the owner 
of the well states, that some time previous to its loca¬ 
tion, while on his way from Pith ole to Titusville, when 
at the edge of the town of Pleasantville, his horse 
stopped, and he was taken from his buggy by some in¬ 
visible power, through or over a rail fence, into an ad¬ 
joining field, and set down with no gentle force on the 
precise spot where the Harmonial well is located, and 
by some process, only known to spiritualists, caused to 
understand that he was the fortunate instrument se¬ 
lected to commence the development of the Pleasant¬ 
ville oil field, that has proved the most generally suc¬ 
cessful one yet operated upon. Shortly after this mus¬ 
cular and spiritual manifestation, the gentleman in 
question, a highly intelligent man by the way, com¬ 
menced operations for sinking a well in the precise loca¬ 
tion thus indicated, and was rewarded by obtaining an 
hundred barrel well. 

As usual, the skeptics were among the first to 
secure leases around the new well, and every one 
drilled or sunk, proved successful. Per contra, better 
wells, in other portions of the same locality, have been 
obtained, whose owners and projectors had been sub¬ 
jected to no such muscular “ manifestations.” But so 
vast and wonderful has been the Petroleum develop¬ 
ment, that it has afforded an excellent field for the exer¬ 
cise of the exploded superstitions of less enlightened 
times. It is due to state, that intelligent operators, 
and these constitute the mass, and have by far been 
0 


122 


PETROLIA. 


the most successful, have never resorted to devices so 
unworthy of our civilization, and so contrary to the 
dictates of common sense. 

The progress made in oil mining so far, is truly 
wonderful, taking all the attendant circumstances into 
consideration. The large majority, four-fifths at least, 
of those who commenced the Petroleum development, 
had no previous experience in mining of any kind. 
They were composed of all classes of mechanics, busi¬ 
ness men, farmers, laborers, <fcc. The sinking of an 
artesian well, such as we have in the Oil Kegion, was 
a work that had to be learned. No exact counterpart 
was furnished in any of the previous mining expe¬ 
riences of the country. Hence the knowledge so 
necessary could only be acquired by the expenditure 
of money, skill, and untiring labor. The prospect of 
such large gains from a comparatively slight invest¬ 
ment, urged them on. Surely no better “ School of 
Mining,” was ever known, or had apter pupils. 

Mining engineers, who had graduated in the best 
schools of the old world and the new, came in the sub¬ 
sequent years of the development. But their plans 
were of too costly and elaborate a nature to admit of 
general adaptation. None of the companies, much less 
individual miners, had the capital to indulge in such 
machinery as is in general use in all other branches of 
mining. They have contented themselves with the 
centre-bit, in use for at least a century preceding, and 
such other appliances as incurred the lightest expense, 
and combined strength and simplicity. 

Numerous devices and inventions have been tested 
intended for drilling oil wells, without sufficient success 
to cause even their partial adaptation. The period has 
not yet come for the general adoption of costly and 
elaborate mining machinery. When the present reser- 


PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 


123 


voirs of supply are worked to depletion, or flooded by 
water from the numerous abandoned wells, such appli¬ 
ances will doubtless be introduced. The necessity will 
then have arrived for the adoption of different means 
than are now in use to obtain the subterraneau deposits. 
The machinery to effect this result will be ready at the 
proper time, and its conception in some cute Yankee 
brain has doubtless even now taken place. 

Knowledge sufficient has been gained from the de¬ 
velopment of each preceding year to furnish general 
principles for the guidance of the oil miner, enabling 
him to reach the oil deposits with greater accuracy, 
each succeeding one, until at the present date, save in 
undeveloped territory, a dry well is the exception and 
not the rule, as at the commencement. 

The original depth of wells in the early years, sel¬ 
dom exceeded 300 to 500 or 550 feet, and some of the 
largest in amount of production, have been of less. 
From 700 to 800 and 900 feet, is now the common 
depth to which wells are drilled on the elevated lands. 
With this large increase of depth comes a correspond¬ 
ing increase of obstacles to the miner, yet persistent 
labor and skill overcome these. Heavier drilling ma¬ 
chinery is of course required. In the first years of de¬ 
velopment, the percentage of successful producing 
wells, scarcely averaged one in twenty. At present 
five out of every eight is not, we consider, an over esti¬ 
mate. The most attractive site for the oil operator of 
to-day, is in close proximity to a good producing well, 
or in a line as near as possible with the same. 

The all prevailing oil theory of 1868, the first by the 
way, that has given general practical favorable results, 
was that of the “ oil belt.” It has been proved by suc¬ 
cessful experiments, during the past season, that the oil¬ 
bearing strata (the third sandrock), of the Oil Region, 


124 


PETROLIA. 


has a direction, or general bearing, from northeast to 
southwest. The idea originated by observing the gen¬ 
eral direction presented by the successful wells in the 
different producing localities. By taking the general 
direction or bearing of these, the general direction of 
the so-called “ oil belt ” can be traced to any desired 
distance. 

Since the adoption of this theory, the success in ob¬ 
taining paying "wells has been uniform, and is fast be¬ 
coming reduced to a comparative certainty. At Pleas- 
antville and immediate vicinity some 300 wells have 
been sunk, with direct reference to the new theory, and 
very few total failures have as yet been reported. 
This belt, which is supposed to contain the oil-bearing 
strata, so far as developed at Pleasantville, has a width 
of from one to two miles, and this width is being grad¬ 
ually increased. In other localities the width seems to 
vary, occasionally to a few hundred yards. From the 
hill on which the Wood farm, adjoining Petroleum 
Centre, is located, this “ oil belt ” can be seen clearly 
defined by a line of producing wells, singly and in 
groups, all having the same general bearing. On the 
northeast are Bennehoff Hill, Pioneer, and still further, 
Shamburgh, while beyond the latter can be seen the 
smoke from the busy oil field surrounding Pleasantville. 
In a general southwest direction, the line crosses the 
Story, Tarr, and finally appears on the high bluff of 
the Blood farm. The recent developments on the bluff 
of the John Buchanan farm, lower down the Creek, 
gives the same results, in a similar general direction. 
Lateral branches, as at Cherry Run, and other locali¬ 
ties, seem to occur. Oil operators or miners, now de¬ 
velop in these given directions, with the success we 
have above stated. A single test well is generally 
sufficient to show the location of the u belt,” but occa- 






WELL READY TO COMMENCE DRILLING. 



























































































































































































































PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 


125 


sionally several are required before the exact position 
is found. The extreme northeast portion of the “ oil 
belt,” so far as developed, is the oil field of Tideoute 
and vicinity, and the southwestern at Scrubgrass and 
Parker’s Landing, on the lower Allegheny. 

It is by such discoveries as these, all in accordance 
with nature’s physical laws, that oil miners have been, 
from year to year, guided by unerring instinct as it 
were, to such successful results, as the present large 
daily production evidences. And the time will come 
when the theories of the past, wild as they seemed, 
will be appreciated as the first glimpses obtained of 
the way to the rich storehouse of mineral wealth, that 
is now gushing forth from Mother Earth in such boun¬ 
teous and seemingly inexhaustible stream. 

Having thus given in detail, the different theories 
held and acted upon by the oil miners during the suc¬ 
cessive years of Peti oleum development, we will en¬ 
deavor to give the reader an idea of the mode and 
manner in which an oil well is bored or sunk. The 
term drilled, would probably be more correct, but the 
other is the generally accepted term, and is more favor¬ 
ably known. In giving a description of this kind, we 
are aware that it will be a repetition, in sum and sub¬ 
stance at least, written on the same subject by previous 
writers. As the present work would be incomplete with¬ 
out it, its insertion becomes a necessity. Important im¬ 
provements are constantly being made in minor details. 

We will suppose that the site for the well has been 
selected, and a suitable place made ready for the foun¬ 
dations of the derrick, engine-house, &c. The first step 
generally taken after securing and preparing the loca¬ 
tion is to procure an engine, suitable in amount of 
horse-power, for the effectual prosecution of the work, 
and transport it to the location aforesaid. Next in 


126 


PETROLIA. 


order is the erection of an engine-house, derrick, samp- 
son-post, working-beam, jack-frame, and band-wheels, 
and placing them in proper position. The engines in 
use in the Oil Region are of every conceivable style, 
portable, stationary, upright, and oscillating. Portable 
and stationary are the kinds now in general use. These 
are from eight to thirty horse-power, principally the 
former. In former years it was the custom to operate 
several wells with one of these large engines, sometimes 
two ; never over three. It is now considered more 
advantageous to have an engine to each well. The mo¬ 
tion required to pump one well is generally different 
from what is required for another. Arranging motion 
for one well where two are operated with one engine, 
disarranges it for the other, consuming more time and 
fuel, than would pay for the extra one. Engine-houses 
are built of rough boards, and are of sufficient capacity 
to protect the engine from the weather, contain a forge 
for dressing tools, bunks for workmen, a small amount 
of fuel, necessary tools, ropes, &c. 

The derrick is a tall frame work, in the shape 
of a pyramid. They were formerly built of rough 
poles, or hewn timber, the bottom being from ten to 
twelve feet square, the poles, four in number, being 
erected one at each corner, thirty feet in height, con¬ 
verging toward each other, forming a square at the top, 
of two and a half feet, with girths and braces, at suita¬ 
ble distances to make the structure sufficiently substan¬ 
tial for the purposes designated. Derricks are now 
built of sawed lumber or boards, two inches thick and 
from six to eight wide, the two edges being spiked to¬ 
gether, forming a half square, on each corner of the 
foundation, which is from fourteen to sixteen feet 
square, and in some localities more. The derrick is 
now put up in sections, being braced transversely as it 


PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 


127 


goes up, in order to secure the strength necessary, until 
it reaches the proper height, which for deep wells is 
about fifty-six feet; for shallow ones, less height and 
lighter derrick is required, and at the top it forms 
a square of from two to three feet. 

On the top of the derrick is put a strong frame 
work for the reception of a pulley, over which the drill 
rope passes. The floor of the derrick is made strong 
by cross sleepers, covered with plank or boards. A 
roof for the protection of the workmen, is laid with 
boards across the girths, some ten to twelve feet above 
the floor. In cold weather the sides are boarded up. 

The bull-wheel, as it is called, is a shaft of timber, 
six to eight feet long, fastened like the shaft of a com¬ 
mon windlass, and six to eight inches in diameter, the 
ends of the shaft banded with iron, and a journal of 
inch-iron driven into each end for it to revolve upon. 
Mortices are made through this shaft, eight or ten 
inches from each end for the arms of the wheel. The 
wheels are usually made from six to eight inches thick 
on the face, with strips of plank sunk into and spiked 
on the outer surface, for the double purpose of receiv¬ 
ing the rope-belt, and connecting it with the band- 
wheel for drawing up tools, tubing, &c., out of the 
well, and for the workmen to take hold of with their 
hands, when working it without the help of the engine. 
The bull-wheel is placed on the side of the derrick next 
to or opposite the band-wheel and engine, as the work¬ 
men may desire. The drill-rope is coiled on this shaft, 
between the wheels, one end passing from it over the pul¬ 
ley on the top of the derrick, and attached to the tools. 

The sampson-post is of hewed timber, twelve to fif¬ 
teen inches square, and usually twelve feet in height, 
erected on heavy timbers, framed, crossing each other, 
bedded firmly in the ground with a mortice to receive 


128 


PETROLIA. 


the tenon on bottom of post; also a brace on each side, 
reaching nearly to the top of the post. On the top of 
this are the irons fitted to receive the working-beam, 
which is balanced on the top of the sampson-post, ad¬ 
mitting of the rocking motion required in drilling and 
pumping. The working beam is a stick of timber, 
from twenty to twenty-six feet long, eight to ten inches 
square at each end, eight by fourteen to sixteen inches 
in the middle with iron attachment in the centre, fitting 
to a similar one on the sampson-post. To the end over 
the well is an iron joint for attaching the temper-screw 
when drilling, and sucker-rods when pumping. On the 
other end of the working beam is an iron joint for at¬ 
taching the pitman-bar, which connects the same with 
the crank, or band-wheel shaft. The band-wheel, shaft, 
crank, spider for wheel, pitman, and working-beam, as 
well as all the other parts of the machinery are shown 
in the illustrations in this work. 

The band-wheel is usually about six feet in diameter 
with a six inch face, built in various styles, according 
to the fancy of the builder, and is placed upon a strong 
frame, built for its reception, called the jack-frame. The 
jack-frame is secured in position by two heavy timbers, 
bedded into the ground with gains sunk into them to 
receive the sills of the jack-frame, to which they are 
keyed fast. The engine is usually placed from eight 
to twelve feet distant from the band-wheel, and con¬ 
nected by rubber or other belting. The belting in gen¬ 
eral use is six inches in width. 

When all this is completed, water supply for the 
engine procured, &c., we are ready to commence opera¬ 
tions. The first thing in order is to drive the iron con¬ 
ductor or driving-pipe, as it is generally termed, to the 
bed-rock, which varies, as will be seen by reference to 
the body of our book, from six to seventy-five feet, 


M4 















































































































































































































































PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 129 

generally from twenty to fifty feet. This pipe acts as 
a conductor, and prevents earth or stones from falling 
into the pit or hole, while the drilling is going on. The 
driving-pipe in general use is of cast iron, six to eight 
inches in diameter, having walls of about one inch in 
thickness, and is in joints nine or ten feet long. The 
driving of this pipe is a work of difficulty, requiring the 
utmost skill, since the pipe must be forced down 
through all obstructions to a great depth, while it must 
be perfectly vertical. The slightest deflection from a 
straight perpendicular line, ruins the well, as the pipe 
acts as the conductor for the drilling tools. The process 
of driving is simple but effective. Two slide-ways, 
made of plank, are erected in the centre of the derrick 
to the height of twenty or more feet, twelve to four¬ 
teen inches apart, with edges in toward each other, and 
the whole made secure and plumb. Two wooden 
clamps or followers are made to fit around the pipe, and 
slide up and down on the edges of the ways. The pipe 
is erected on end between the ways, and held perpen¬ 
dicular by these clamps, and a driving-cap of iron, fit¬ 
ted to the top. A battering-ram is then suspended be¬ 
tween the ways, so arranged as to drop perpendicularly 
upon the end of the pipe. The battering-ram is of tim¬ 
ber, six to eight feet long, and twelve to fourteen inches 
square, banded with iron at the lower or battering-end, 
with a hook in the upper end to receive a rope. When 
the whole is in position, a rope is attached to the hook 
in the upper end, passed over the pulley of the derrick, 
down to and around the shaft of the bull-wheel. 
Everything is now in readiness to drive the pipe. The 
belt being adjusted connecting the engine and band- 
wheel, and the rope connecting the band-wheel and 
bull-wheel, called the bull-wheel rope, the machinery is 
put in motion by the engineer, one man standing be- 
6 * 


130 


PETKOLIA. 


liind the bull-wheel shaft, grasping the rope attached to 
the ram and coiled around the bullwheel shaft, holds it 
fast, and takes it up in his hands, thus raising the ram 
to its required elevation when it is let fall upon the 
pipe, and by repeated blows it is driven to the requisite 
depth. When one joint of pipe is driven, another is 
placed upon it and the two ends secured by a strong 
iron band, and the process continued as before. The 
pipe has to be cleaned out frequently, both by drilling 
and sand-pumping. Where obstacles, such as boulders, 
are met with, the centre-bit is put in requisition, and a 
hole, two-thirds the diameter of the pipe, is drilled 
through the same. The pipe is then driven down, the 
edges of the obstacle being broken by the force ap¬ 
plied, the fragments falling into the vacuum created by 
the passage of the bit. When this cannot be done the 
whole machinery and derrick is moved sufficiently to 
admit of the driving a new set of pipe, or abandoned. 
It sometimes happens that the pipe is broken, or di¬ 
verted from its vertical course by some obstacle. The 
whole string of pipe driven has to be drawn up again 
and the work commenced anew. If this is not possible, 
a new location is sought. 

After the pipe is driven, the work of drilling is com 
menced. The drilling-rope, which is generally one and 
a quarter inch hawser-laid cable, of the required length, 
from 500 to 1,000 feet, is coiled rouud the shaft of 
the bull-wheel, the outer end passing over the pulley 
on the top of the derrick down to the tools, and 
attached to them by a rope-socket. The tools consist 
of the centre-bit, auger-stem or drill-bar, jars, sinker- 
bar, and rope-socket. When connected, these are from 
thirty to forty feet in length, and sometimes more, 
weighing from 800 to 1,600 pounds, according to depth 
required to reach the third saDdrock. The process of 


PETJROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 


131 


drilling, until the whole length of the tools are on, and 
suspended by the cable, is slow. When the depth 
required to suspend the tools is obtained below the sur¬ 
face, the attachment between the working-beam and 
drilling-cable is made by means of a temper-screw sus¬ 
pended from the end of the working-beam, and attached 
to the rope by a clamp. The temper-screw is from 
two to three feet in length, made Avith a coarse thread, 
and works in a thin iron frame, with a wheel at the 
lower end of the screw for the driller to let out the 
same as is required. As the drill sinks down into the 
rock, the screw is let doAvn by a slight turn of the 
AAdieel by the driller, some alloAving a full revolution 
every few blows of the bit, others once only in a few 
minutes, depending upon the hardness of the rock being 
drilled through. 

What is termed the “jars ” by oil miners, attached 
to the auger-stem, play a highly important part in the 
Avork of drilling. They are tAvo long links or loops of 
iron or steel, sliding in each other. Drillers always 
have about from four to six inches play to the jars, 
Avhich they call the “jar,” and by this they can tell 
when to let down the temper-screw. With the down¬ 
ward motion the upper jar slides several inches into the 
lower one; on the upward motion this is brought up, 
bringing the end of the jars together with a bloAV like 
that of a heavy hammer on an anvil, making a percep¬ 
tible jar. Experienced drillers can as soon as they take 
hold of the rope tell how much “jar ” they have on. 

In drilling, the tools are alternately lifted and 
dropped by the action of the working-beam in its rock¬ 
ing motion. One man is required constantly in the 
derrick to turn the tools, as they rise and fall, to pre¬ 
vent them from becoming wedged fast, and to let out 
the temper-screAV as required. This is one of the most 


132 


PETROLIA. 


important duties of the work, requiring constant atten¬ 
tion to keep the hole round and smooth. The centre- 
bit is run down the full length of the temper-screw. 
The centre-bit is about three and a half feet in length, 
with a shaft two and a half inches in diameter, and a 
cutting edge of steel, three and a half to four inches in 
width, with a thread on the upper end by which it is 
screwed on the end of the auger-stem. The reamer is 
about two and a half feet in length, having a blunt in¬ 
stead of cutting edge, with a shank, two and a half 
inches in diameter, terminating in a blunt extremity, 
three and a half to four and a half inches in width, by 
two inches in thickness, faced with steel. The weight 
of heavy centre-bits and reamers, average from fifty 
to seventy-five pounds each. 

The centre-bit is followed by the reamer, to enlarge 
the hole, and make it smooth and round. The sedi¬ 
ment, or battered rock, is taken out after each centre- 
bit, and again after every reamer, by means of a sand- 
pump let down in the well for the purpose. The sand- 
pump now in use is a cylinder of wrought iron, six to 
eight feet in length, with a valve at the bottom and a bail 
at the top, to which a half-inch rope is attached, passing 
over a pulley suspended in the derrick some twenty 
feet above the floor, and back to the sand-pump reel, at¬ 
tached to the jack-frame, and coiled upon the reel-shaft. 
This shaft is propelled by means of a friction pulley, 
controlled by the driller in the derrick, by rope at¬ 
tached. The sand-pump is usually about three inches 
in diameter. Some drillers use two, one after the cen¬ 
tre-bit, and a larger one after the reamer, the two being 
preferable. When the sand-pump is lowered to a 
requisite depth, it is filled by a churning process of the 
rope in the hands of the driller, and is then drawn up 
and emptied. This operation is repeated each time the 



Rope Fulley[18inch diam^) 
4 bolts k vra shoes 12 x fe 
















































































































































































































PETEOLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 


133 


tools are drawn up out of the well, the pump being let 
down and drawn up a sufficient number of times to 
remove all the drillings. The fall of the tools is from 
two to three feet. This labor goes on, first tools and 
then sand-pump, until the well is drilled to the required 
depth. Abundance of water is found in the wells, both 
for rope and tools, from the commencement. It flows 
in from the surface veins, and from the larger ones 
below. 

After the well is drilled, the process of tubing to 
prepare for testing and pumping, is next in order This 
is done generally with two-inch wrought iron pipe, pre¬ 
viously tested by hydraulic power. This tubing is in 
joints, from twelve to fifteen feet in length, screwed 
together by means of a thread on each of its ends, with 
a close fitting thimble. 

The working or pump barrel, is usually from five to 
six feet in length, made of brass, with a bore of from 
one and three quarters to one and seven-eighth inches, 
always smaller than the bore of the tubing. In the 
lower end of this is placed the lower valve, or standing- 
box, as it is termed. The working barrel is then 
screwed to the first joint of pipe by means of a sleeve 
or thimble, such as attaches the sections of tubing to¬ 
gether. 

The swivel is now screwed into the other end of the 
joint of tubing, the tackle-blocks being suspended in 
the derrick. The hook of the lower block is attached 
to the swivel, and by means of the rope, the whole is 
suspended over the well and let down into it until the 
derrick floor is reached. The clamps are placed across 
the mouth of the driving pipe under the thimble at the 
end of the joint, fitting closely, and secured by a ring 
at the end of the handles. The swivel is then taken 
out by the pipe-tongs, another joint or section of tubing 


134 


PETROLIA. 


attached and lowered as at first. This process is re¬ 
peated until the amount required is in the well, being 
held securely by the clamps, as before described. The 
tubing is put down various depths, usually to or near 
the bottom of the well. All practical drillers keep a 
record of the rock passed through, sand, pebble, or slate, 
which is done by preserving a portion of each sand¬ 
pumping, its thickness and relative hardness, which is 
shown by the drillings. This record is essentially ne¬ 
cessary, in order to determine the proj>er place for fast¬ 
ening the seed-bag. The seed-bag is placed upon the 
tubing so as to come at the depth necessary to cut off 
the surface water, as well as the heavier veins below 
from the oil veins further down. The depth generally 
required, being at the first sandrock, averaging from 
150 to 350 feet. This seed-bag is of stout leather, 
made to about fit the bore of the well, and is from four 
to six feet in length. The tubing is passed through 
the seed-bag, the lower end of which is fast at the 
proper place on the tubing by lashing it with a stout 
cord. It is then filled with flax-seed, pressed in, to a 
trifle less than the exact bore of the well, lashed fast at 
the upper end, and lowered into the well to the desired 
depth with the tubing. The flax-seed swells in a few 
hours, closing the hole effectually, when properly ar¬ 
ranged, so that water cannot pass down, nor the gas 
and oil up beyond it. This important appliance is used 
for the double purpose of shutting off the surface water 
from the oil veins below, when the well is pumping or 
flowing, and to force the current of oil and gas up 
through the tubing to the surface. 

In pumping or testing a well, what is called sucker- 
rods, are used. These are of wood, about an inch in 
diameter, and twenty feet in length. Ash and hickory 
are the kind in general use. The sucker or working- 


MIS 



Bit. Reamer: 


Mo 2L Mo 22. 



Swivel 


Ml 7. 



a 

"s 


fee 

a 



Jo 23. 



Rope Socket. 


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PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 


135 


valve is attached to the end of one of these, each end 
of the rod being fitted with a screw-thread and thimble 
alternating, the same fitting on in the form of a socket, 
and lowered into the tubing. The rods are lowered 
one after another until the valve goes into the working 
barrel. The attachment is then made to the working- 
beam by means of a rod passing through a stuffing-box, 
fitted on the end of the tubing, above the driving-pipe. 
When these arrangements have been completed, the 
pump is ready to operate, which is done by the machin¬ 
ery in the same manner as in drilling. The sucker at 
the end of the rod operating upon the standing-valve in 
the working-barrel. In order that the uninitiated reader 
may clearly understand this detailed description, we re¬ 
fer him to the engravings, which are sufficiently explan¬ 
atory. 

The process of “ casing ” the wells is now in general 
use. This is done by putting three and one-quarter inch 
artesian tubing in the well to the first sandrock, and 
placing the seed-bag at or near the same. The two- 
inch tubing is then put on the inside of the casing with¬ 
out a seed-bag, and can be taken up without danger of 
flooding out the well with the surface water, as in the 
old way, by turning the seed-bag every time the tubing 
required moving. 

In early days the conductor, was made of heavy 
plank, or a log of wood, bored out like a pump log, the 
excavation having been made previously to the rock, or 
as far as the water, would permit, by digging a well-hole. 
The iron driving-pipe now used is not only more econ¬ 
omical, but insures greater accuracy in drilling. The 
tools and general machinery now in use, are of a heavier 
description than those formerly used, in consequence 
of drilling deeper wells, and insuring greater rapidity. 
The drilling of an oil well was formerly a labor of 


136 


PETKOLIA. 


months. Now a well can be drilled and tested in from 
twenty to thirty days. 

At the commencement of the development, opera¬ 
tors were content to drill to the depth of a few hundred 
feet. They employed various kinds of power. The 
most primitive and novel, was that of the “ spring- 
pole,” first employed by the early salt-miners in sinking 
their artesian wells, which is described as follows: 
“ The spring-pole consisted of a green sapling, some 
forty feet in length and ten inches in diameter, with 
the butt end made fast in the ground, or attached to an 
upright pole. A second post, ten or fifteen feet from 
the butt, acted as a fulcrum, while the pole passed over 
the well, and about ten feet above it. The boring im¬ 
plements were attached to this pole, and the ‘ power ’ 
adjusted near its smaller extremity. This was applied 
by the strength of two men throwing their weight upon 
the pole. Sometimes a small wooden staging, four feet 
square, was hinged by one of its sides to the derrick, 
and the other side suspended to the pole. In this case 
the two men stood on the staging, and brought down 
the pole by throwing their weight on the side attached 
to it, and permitted it to rise by throwing their weight 
on the side next to the derrick. In either case the 
spring of the pole brought up the implements, while 
the downward motion of the pole permitted the stroke. 
The general term for this method of drilling a well, 
was termed ‘jigging it down,’ from its resemblance 
to the dance so styled.” 

Another process, by which human muscle was 
brought into requisition, is spoken of. This was com¬ 
monly called “ kicking down a well.” “ A short, elas¬ 
tic pole, ash or hickory, ten to fifteen feet in length, 
was arranged over the well, working over a fulcrum, 
to the end of which was attached stirrups, in which 


J\o2b\ 


JV 62 y. 


JVoSO. 



Stuffing Box . 
























































































































































































































































































PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT. 


137 


two or three men each placed a foot, and by a kind of 
kicking process brought down the pole, and produced 
the motion necessary to work the bit. By this process 
the strokes were rapid. Horse-power was used, of dif¬ 
ferent patterns, suitable for one horse, and sometimes 
for two and three. They resembled in their general 
features the horse-power of a threshing-machine, the 
horses walking around the centre, and over a tumbling- 
shaft, that gave the necessary perpendicular motion.” 

“ Man-power,” answered very well for the depth 
of a hundred feet, though extremely laborious and 
slow. The horse-power was a decided improvement. 
Water-power was used to still greater advantage in- 
many instances, and deep wells have been thus drilled, 
with but slight cost to the operator. All these expe¬ 
dients answered the purpose so long as oil mining was 
comparatively an experiment, and the operators finan¬ 
cially unable to procure more costly and efficient ma¬ 
chinery. The crude inventions of the spring-pole and 
the “ kicking stirrup,” furnished ideas for practical 
minds, that has finally brought the working machinery 
used at the present day, to a high degree of perfection. 

The early contrivances gave way before the advent 
of the steam engine, and have forever vanished. We 
have great respect for them, as they constituted the 
germ which has since budded forth, flooded the civilized 
world with an illuminator second only to the glorious 
orb of day itself, shedding its rays into dark places 
never before rendered visible by any of its successors, 
and one, too, that is simply as- inexhaustible as time it¬ 
self. It is a civilizer, too, and will eventually accom¬ 
plish greater changes in manufactures and the mechan¬ 
ical arts, than has any previous mineral discovery, while 
its almost universal utility is a marvel. 


CHAPTER IX. 


OBSTACLES MET WITH IN SINKING OIL WELLS AND 

HOW OVERCOME. 

Having in the preceding chapter made all the 
necessary arrangements, we will now commence opera¬ 
tions, and accompany the driller on his downward 
journey of from 600 to 900 feet, through earth, slate, 
shale, and rock. The engine is fired up, and the attach¬ 
ments made, giving the crank motion to the working- 
beam, which in turn moves the cable and the drilling 
apparatus. The driller takes his seat on a high stool, 
above the chosen spot, adjusts the centre-bit or drill 
with great care, and down it goes through the con¬ 
ductor-pipe, striking thirty to forty blows per minute. 
Between the strokes the tools require to be moved 
around, to make the aperture uniform, and to prevent 
them from wedging fast. With this is also continued 
a slight downward motion every few strokes, by a turn 
of the temper-screw. The first operation tells the en¬ 
tire story. Day after day, night after night, the drill 
is kept moving up and down, cutting from one to six 
inches and even twelve inches of rock and shale per 
hour, according to hardness. At intervals the centre- 
bit is drawn up, badly worn and battered, and a 
reamer let down to enlarge the hole, and put on the 
finishing touches, by making it smooth and round, and 
these are followed by the sand pump. 

The first few hundred feet are generally gone 
through without difficulty, provided all the arrange- 







WELLS DRILLING AND PUMPIN< 































































OBSTACLES-HOW OVERCOME. 


139 


ments have been made with care, at the beginning, 
and the drillers are skilful. Occasional accidents to 
machinery will happen, and the best skilled men are 
but human. Difficulties occur further down, that test 
to its utmost endurance the most persistent energy. 
Sometimes they are attributable to a want of caution 
on the part of the driller, from imperfection in the 
material of, or improper dressing, or tempering the 
drill, but more often from circumstances unforeseen 
and unavoidable. In its passage the drill not unfre- 
quently dislodges gravel or fragments of hard rock, 
that have a tendency, and often do, wedge it fast in 
the hole, from which it is only dislodged by the most 
persistent “jarring.” The reamer is also subject to 
the same mishap, or a sand-pump breaks loose from 
its rope, and has to be fished up. When the bit or 
reamer becomes so firmly imbedded as to render its 
removal impossible by jarring or breaking it in pieces, 
the well is abandoned. Sometimes a bit or reamer 
breaks, leaving a piece of hard steel fastened securely 
in the rock several hundred feet below the surface. 
Where the fragment is small, it is pounded into the 
sides of the well, and causes no further annoyance. 
When it is larger the difficulty is greater, and not un- 
frequently insurmountable. The bit or reamer some¬ 
times becomes detached from the auger-stem, by the 
loosening of the screw from its socket. This difficulty 
is often greatly heightened from the fact that the work¬ 
man may not be aware of its displacement, and for an 
hour or two be pounding on the top of it with the 
heavy auger-stem. Various plans are resorted to in 
order to extract the fastened tool, and a large number 
of implements have been devised for “ fishing up ” 
the same. Many persons have become so expert and 
successful, as to adopt this as a regular calling. The 


140 


PETROLIA. 


first instrument used is an iron with a tliin cutting 
edge, straight, circular or semi-circular, acting as a 
spear, or to cut loose the accumulations around the 
top, and along the sides of the refractory bit or 
reamer, so as to admit a spring socket, that is lowered 
by means of the auger-stem over the top of it, and 
lays hold upon the protuberance just below the thread. 
If the socket can be made fast, the power of the bull- 
wheel and engine is brought into requisition, and in a 
great number of cases it is brought to the surface. In 
the jarring and other operations rendered necessary in 
cases of this kind, the entire set of tools, forty to 
sixty feet in length, may become fastened; and cases 
are of frequent occurrence where two and even three 
sets of tools have become fastened in a well, as they 
were successively let down to extricate the first ones. 
It often happened in previous years, as well as now, 
that after weeks and months of incessant labor, and a 
considerable expenditure, the well had to be abandoned 
after the first few hundred feet had been drilled. The 
difficulty described is liable to occur at any stage of 
the work, and its frequency increases with the depth. 

In addition to the difficulties mentioned, there is 
yet another, far more dreaded by the driller. This is 
what is called a “ mud vein.” It is a thin stratum of 
mud or clay, from one to several inches in thickness, 
generally met with at the depth of from 400 to 900 
feet. Mud veins abound in most of the producing 
localities, and not a few operators regard them as in¬ 
variably indicating an abundant supply of oil. This 
mud or clay is of a most tenacious character, is highly 
annoying to the operator when drilling, and in many 
cases disastrous. Though not deemed of much import¬ 
ance as an obstacle, in the beginning of the develop¬ 
ment, the mud-vein exhibits new features in different 


OBSTACLES—HOW OVERCOME. 


141 


localities. The mud suddenly flows into a well while 
the process of drilling is going on, settling around the 
drill, bedding it as firmly almost as the rock itself. Its 
presence is often indicated to the driller by the sudden 
downward pressure on his rope. When drilling on or 
below it, the workman, when about to withdraw his 
drill, will have assistance at the bull-wheel, and the 
instant the working-beam ceases its motion, a few turns 
will be taken on the wheel, so as to raise the bit above 
the mud, as it sets almost as quickly as plaster of 
Paris. Sometimes this mud will flow into the hole for 
a depth of twenty or more feet, burying, as it were, the 
entire drilling tools and attachments. This renders the 
jars useless. By attaching a cutting instrument to 
sucker-rods, the rope above the sinker-bar is cut, and 
then a spear-pointed instrument substituted, with 
which, by means of a light set of tools, the substance 
around the tools is forced from them, an extra pair of 
jars lowered, and efforts made to jar the tools loose. 
The spear is sometimes shaped like a common wedge, 
faced with steel at the cutting edge, made thin. A 
half circular instrument, made in similar manner, is 
also used. The mud-socket, circular-shaped, with thin 
edge, terminating on the inside with an abrupt shoulder, 
made of steel, is sometimes forced over the head of 
obstinate tools, and by holding fast to the shoulder 
made below the thread of these, enables the workmen 
to extract them. A large number of appliances have 
been invented for the dislodgment of fastened tools. 
These are numerous and complicated, so much so, that 
a full description would be anything but interesting to 
the general reader. The main thing sought to have is 
an instrument that in the first place will remove the 
material around the top of the fastened implements, 
to be followed by others acting on the principle of 


142 


PETROLIA. 


a clamp, sufficiently powerful to allow the jarring of 
the tools loose, or the drawing of them up. 

In later years the occurrence of accidents of this 
kind has been greatly lessened, from a more intimate 
knowledge of the obstacles by the driller, and corre¬ 
sponding care in taking all precautions to avoid them. 
At present a most effective instrument for the dislodg- 
ment of tools is in use. This consists of a number of 
heavy iron rods or bars, similar to an auger-stem, 
weighing from ten to eleven tons. It can be made of any 
desired length or weight. It is lowered over the head 
of the tools, and these screwed first into a suitable 
socket made fast to the end of the rods, and is worked 
from the top. When a set of tools are fast, each 
separate piece is unscrewed, the apparatus acting as 
a left-handed screw. Each piece, as loosened, is 
brought to the surface. This is stated to be the most 
efficient device yet invented, and is in use in all the 
most extensive developing localities. By applying the 
full force of the engine, these two and a half inch iron 
rods are frequently twisted like an augur. They are 
lowered and raised from the top by jack-screws. 

The work of drilling a well is one requiring the 
exercise of the greatest care and skill on the part of 
the workman. His operations are mainly below the 
surface, where the eye cannot perceive the nature of 
the obstacles and impediments. He has but the nar¬ 
row bore of the well in which to operate, and cannot 
at a glance take in the whole state of the rocks 
through which he penetrates. Patience and skill tri¬ 
umph over every obstacle, and the work that was 
undertaken in former years, with well-founded fore¬ 
bodings of great labor and financial expenditure, has 
now become an ordinary venture, with an almost abso¬ 
lute certainty of success. The work is by no means so 


OBSTACLES-HOW OVERCOME. 143 

monotonous as it appears to a superficial looker-on. A 
register or record <*f the well is kept, of the various 
rocks drilled through, each sand-pumping carefully 
scrutinized, and every unusual appearance of sand, or 
new feature discovered, carefully noted. Veins of fresh 
water are met with to the depth of about 100 to 150 
feet, seldom below that depth. After this come the 
oil veins, which are found for the balance of the 
depth of the well. Veins of gas and oil are struck 
at different depths, generally in the first and second 
saudrocks. The appearance of these is manifested in 
the pumpings brought up by the sand-pump, the gas 
being in the shape of globules, and the oil, of a dark 
green color, floating on the surface of the water in 
the pump, or depositing, after the manner of sedi 
ment, when the sand-pump is emptied. Frequently 
these appearances are exceedingly flattering, the pump 
coming up nearly filled with oil, seeming to insure a 
paying well. But these “ shows ” are deceptive, and 
never to be implicitly relied on, and the operator con¬ 
tinues to drill until the desired “ third sandrock,” 
where the largest and most permanent supply of oil has 
been found, is reached. The drilling being finished, 
the tools are withdrawn, and preparations made for 
tubing and testing the well ; the tubing, Ac., having 
been already brought on the ground, it being consid¬ 
ered of the utmost importance to tube and test the 
well as soon as practicable after the work of drilling 
has been completed. 

In earlier years, when flowing wells were struck, 
the tools were thrown out of the well to a great height 
upon the penetration of the gas and oil crevice below, 
and a volume of gas and oil, the full size of the aper¬ 
ture, forced up to a height of fifty or more feet, creat¬ 
ing a shock, with its first escape, similar to an earth- 


144 


PETROLIA. 


quake, bursting forth with a roar like the ’scape-pipe 
of a steamer, covering whole acres with its greasy 
flood. This frequently continued for several days, and 
sometimes for weeks ; the force of the gas being so 
great as to prevent the workmen from tubing the well. 
In such cases trenches were frequently made lor the 
oil to run into, and the oil dipped out of these into 
barrels, boats, or other suitable vessels. In many cases 
the gas and oil give indication by bubbling up through 
and out at the end of the conducting-pipe. While 
many others, among which have been some of the best 
paying wells ever drilled, exhibited no sign until after 
they were tested. After the tubing is completed, in 
the manner before described, the pump is put down; 
a suitable tank or tanks for receiving the oil having 
been previously built, within a convenient distance of the 
well. The size of these tanks, which are made of pine 
planks, cylindrical in shape, and stoutly hooped with 
iron, varies, according to the necessity of the case, from 
150 to 1,200 barrels. Connection is made with these 
by means of a pipe attached to the mouth of the stuf¬ 
fing-box. 

The well is generally full of water below the seed- 
bag, from the surface water and veins above or the 
salt water below. The pump is set to work to pump 
this off, as also to clear out the well. This operation 
is called “ testing.” When the water is thoroughly 
exhausted, oil generally makes its appearance, in large 
or small quantities, according as fortune has favored 
the operator. The depth to which a well is drilled, is 
generally regulated by the depth of the producing 
wells in the immediate vicinity, and sometimes by the 
“ show,” as it is called, of the oil in the well. It is 
usual to sink the well several feet below the oil vein, in 
order to prepare a suitable receptacle for sand, gravel, 



OBSTACLES-HOW OVERCOME. 145 

and particles of earthy matter that fall from the sides 
of the well, thus preventing the closing up or clogging 
the oil vein from such causes. The trite old saw, that 
“ all signs fail in dry weather,” is amply verified by 
the frequent experience of the operator at this stage 
of the proceeding. The presence of oil and gas in fair 
quantity in the well, does not necessarily insure a re¬ 
munerative result. The veins may be small and soon 
exhausted. The lack of any such indication is not proof 
that success will not ensue. The oil may be held back 
by the dense column of water upon it, and when it is 
freed from this, it may respond liberally to the strokes 
of the pump, or even flow out abundantly without its 
aid. The testing process is continued until the water 
is exhausted, and the oil makes its appearance. Where 
wells are cased, as before described, and the seed-bag 
perfectly tight, it may be a work of only a few hours 
or a few days. Where casing is not practised, the 
duration of the testing generally, though not invariably, 
occupies weeks, and even months, of incessant labor, 
and after all, perhaps, results in abandonment. But 
few operators continue to test beyond a month, unless 
the u show ” of oil is very good. A few inches of 
rock, or other trifling obstacle, may intervene between 
the operator and princely affluence. If the oil gushes 
forth copiously, after due testing, the operator so for¬ 
tunate becomes possessed of competence at least, and 
not unfrequently ample fortune. In case of failure the 
reverse, financial loss, or even ruin, is equally probable. 


7 


CHAPTER X. 


PUMPING AND FLOWING. 

After the well is tested fully, occupying days, 
weeks, or months, as the case may be, subject to fre¬ 
quent delays, caused by re-adjusting the tubing and the 
seed-bag, occurring in some localities oftener than in 
others, the bursting of an occasional section of tubing, 
breaking of sucker-rods, defective working-barrels, and 
other machinery, and a stream of pure green oil pours 
into the tank from the conducting pipe, the operator 
breathes easier. He is tolerably sure, for a few weeks 
or months, at least, of receiving an income from the 
yield of the well, that will recompense him for his out¬ 
lay, and even do better. The anxiety experienced 
when the first strokes of the pump were made, and the 
consequent vexations, have vanished ; and for the time 
he indulges in the hope that the foundation of the com¬ 
petence or fortune he has so long sought for, is made, 
and as for the structure itself, it will come afterward. 
Some wells commence to pump at the rate of four to 
five barrels per day, and gradually increase until a 
maximum production, say fifty barrels, is reached. 
Others commence at 50 to 100 barrels per day, and be¬ 
gin to decrease in a very short time. The decrease, 
after a short time, a few months, or more frequently a 
few weeks, after the production commences, is gradual, 
and sometimes rapid. But few wells yield their maxi¬ 
mum production over two to three months, though 



IN OPERATION—PUMPING. 












































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































PUMPING AND FLOWING. 


147 


exceptional cases occur. This decrease is doubtless 
owing to a number of causes that are apparent, and 
many more that are not. Sometimes it is caused by a 
seeming exhaustion of the fountain the drill has pene¬ 
trated, the clogging up of the oil veins by paraffine, so 
called, and the closing up of the tubing from the same 
cause, and last, but most frequent, by being flooded by 
the water from other wells. In case the well is 
affected by paraffine, it is usual to take up the tubing, 
which, where casing has been used, is a work of a few 
hours, and clean it out by the introduction of a jet of 
steam. A few barrels of benzine poured into the well, 
effectually disposes of the paraffine that may have col- 
leted round, or clogged up the oil vein. The tubing is 
replaced, and the work of production goes on again. 
The paraffine, which is one of the constituents of the 
product, is of a dirty brown color as it appears in the 
sand-pump and on the tubing, of the consistency of 
lard. That of the wells is materially different from 
the manufactured article from coal, and is doubtless 
caused by the evaporation and subsequent rapid con¬ 
densation of the oil coming in contact with the surface 
atmosphere. It forms upon the outside of pipes on the 
surface from a similar cause. 

When all other expedients fail in resuscitating a 
well, the tubing is removed, and a torpedo exploded 
in it. This is a thin cylinder or shell of iron, four to 
six feet long, and two to three inches in diameter, 
charged with powder, gun-cotton, nitro-glycerine, or 
a compound of all of them, generally equal in explosive 
force, according to size and quality, to from 100 to 
1,000 pounds of powder. This is lowered into the well 
by a wire to a depth necessary to bring it about op¬ 
posite to the oil vein, or crevice. It is then exploded 
by means of a percussion cap, placed on the top of the 


148 


PETROLIA. 


cylinder, a heavy iron weight being sent down on the 
wire for the purpose. Confined between the walls of 
rocks, the force of the explosion is necessarily great, 
the reaction forcing the heavy body of water above out 
at the surface of the well in considerable quantity. 
The explosion fractures the rock and clears away any 
obstructions from the oil vein. The results of the 
torpedo have been wonderfully successful. Wells only 
yielding five barrels per day, have been increased by 
its application to seventy-five and one hundred barrels. 

Flowing wells are equally as liable to obstructions 
of the nature above described, as pumping ones. It is 
the general impression among skilled operators, that 
wells should be pumped continuously, from the time 
of their testing, only stopping for repairs in case of 
accidents. Flowing wells are, of course, exempt from 
this operation at first, but are pumped when their pro¬ 
duction decreases to a material extent. Pumping 
wells, in amount of daily yield, range from 2 barrels to 
250 barrels each. Those which commence with a small 
yield, and gradually increase, are deemed to be more 
lasting by some operators. While the average maxi¬ 
mum yield of an oil well scarcely averages over sixty 
days, there are a number of wells, in different localities 
of the Oil Region, that have yielded almost contin¬ 
uously, for five, and six, and even nine years, the yield 
being of course proportionably small, as compared with 
that of the same when first struck. Pumping wells 
from two to three years old, are quite common. A 
large majority of moderate pumping wells have a dur¬ 
ation of one to two years, depending upon locality, 
management, and surroundings. 

Many of the pumping wells commence, as stated, 
with a small production, and gradually increase until a 
maximum is reached. A well belonging to the Lacka- 


PUMPING AND FLOWING. 


149 


wanna Oil Company, on Shaffer Run, near Oil City, 
drilled some three years since, after three months’ con¬ 
tinuous pumping yielded live barrels per day. This 
well gradually increased its daily yield until it reached 
eighty barrels per day, and continued at this rate for 
a long period. In many of the pumping wells the 
large amount of gas is a serious impediment. This is 
sometimes so great as to stop the engine, snapping the 
tough ash sucker-rods like pipe-stems, involving labor 
and consequent delay. Gravel and sand play havoc 
with the valve of the standing-box, at the lower end 
of the tubing, wearing away the valve, which is gen¬ 
erally a ball-valve, thus destroying the suction neces¬ 
sary to impel the oil to the surface. The sucker, at 
the end of the pump, or sucker-rods, is packed with 
heavy sole-leather, compressed into rings, that fit 
closely around the same. These wear away very fast 
by the action of the water and the oil, the latter being 
highly destructive to leather, causing it to decay, and 
have to be removed often. Thus it will be seen that 
the business of pumping a well is one of continual 
anxiety to all alike, operator and employee. The 
larger pumping wells throw a continuous stream of 
oil, accompanied generally with a moderate amount of 
gas. The small ones, like other diminutives in the 
world, are more fussy, and make a considerable splutter 
of gas and water, with a far less yield of oil. In the 
smaller class it is not unusual for them to flow at the 
rate of several hundred barrels per day, for a few mo¬ 
ments, churning out the oil at a rapid rate, and then 
subsiding as suddenly. The intervals are generally 
regular, the spasms, as it were, occurring in some wells 
every five minutes, continuing to produce for about the 
same length of time. The intervals in others are of 
longer duration, sometimes for hours, when the flow is 


150 


PETEOLIA. 


only for a few moments. The motion required to 
pump wells varies, according to the best experience 
had, in almost every well. It is generally desirable to 
obtain a quick, steady motion on the working-beam, 
that works the pump, in order to procure the greatest 
possible amount of suction. The large amount of gas 
in some wells prevents this, the escaping gas in the 
tubing acting as an air-cushion against the upper and 
lower ends of the sucker, rendering the strain too great 
for the sucker-rods to bear. From breakage and other 
reasons, all more or less unavoidable, the average num¬ 
ber of working-days of a pumping-well, in each week, 
is about four and a half. In some localities, where the 
most systematic management prevails, the average is 
greater. 

The wells yielding five barrels per day and under, 
are pumped by what is called “ heads.” The well is 
allowed to remain idle for a greater portion of the 
twenty-four hours, in order that it may accumulate 
what is called “ a head,” by miners, that is, sufficient 
oil to wholly or partially fill the tubing for a short 
period, when pumped. This is pumped into the receiv¬ 
ing tank, and is generally the work of a few hours. 
The operator can thus perform all his own labor, if he 
is a tolerable engineer. In case he is not, one man is 
all that is required, if he is expert, to pump off half a 
dozen “heads,” in as many different wells, in the 
course of the day. The expense of production is 
greatly lessened by this mode, and many of these small 
operators are accumulating wealth more surely, if slow¬ 
ly, than their more pretentious neighbors, with larger 
wells, and consequently greater expenses. A number 
of these small wells also furnish a sufficient amount of 
gas, which is used for fuel, to run them. 

Until within a few years past, bituminous coal was 


PUMPING AND FLOWING. 


151 


exclusively used for fuel. Before the advent of rail¬ 
roads, the average price of this at the wells was about 
fifty cents per bushel, and in seasons of bad roads, 
more. The quality was poor, and the supply unre¬ 
liable. When prices ruled low, oil was sometimes used 
for fuel, and found more economical than coal. The 
oil was conveyed to the engine by means of a pipe, 
having the end nearest the fire perforated with small 
holes ; the oil running on an iron pan attached to the 
bottom of the fire-box under the boiler. The adoption 
of gas as fuel, was not general until within the last few 
years; the want of suitable appliances being the 
principal reason for this. At first the gas from the 
well was collected by means of a small barrel or tank 
placed in or near the derrick, which the conducting 
pipes passed through to the engine-house. From their 
liability to explode, this plan soon became unpopular. 
The apparatus now used is so arranged that the gas is 
taken directly from the well, an extra pipe being at¬ 
tached to the tubing at a slight depth, into which the 
gas is forced by action of the pump. In addition to 
the stop-cock, in use formerly, as now, to regulate the 
supply, a check-valve is also in use, which allows the 
gas to flow toward the fire, but shuts off any backward 
flow of the same, thus effectually preventing any acci¬ 
dent from fire. The fire-pan is of iron, and the end of 
the supply pipe, usually T-shaped, perforated with holes 
to allow the escape of the gas upon the fire, is gen¬ 
erally used, though the present plans are being con¬ 
stantly improved on. All the developed localities 
furnish a large amount of gas, for a time quite suf¬ 
ficient for all the wants. In new oil fields it is used 
whenever an adequate supply can be obtained As 
now arranged it is safe, and under the most perfect 
control of the engineer, who can regulate it at will. 


152 


PETROLIA. 


The heat is intense, somewhat more injurious to the 
bottom of boilers than coal, but this consideration is 
of minor importance, when its economy, cleanliness, 
and other advantages are considered. 

Petroleum gas burns with a clear, steady light, not 
unlike that of coal. It is used for illuminating pur¬ 
poses at night, and for the warming of engine-houses 
in cold weather. Where the gas is furnished by the 
well of the operator, the only cost incurred for burning 
is the pipe and apparatus, and it can be used not only 
as fuel for pumping his well, but also for the drilling 
of new ones in the immediate vicinity. When the gas 
jets are lighted at night, their bright reflection against 
the sky can be seen for many miles. From Oil City 
and other central points, after nightfall, every point of 
the horizon is aglow with this bright light from na¬ 
ture’s inexhaustible lamp. 

We have thus far given the reverse side of the 
mining branch of the oil business. Of course there is 
a bright side. A large percentage of the accidents 
which we have described, are due to causes that are 
constantly being remedied. Lack of experience upon 
the part of the workmen, and defective machinery are 
among the chief causes. Second-hand engines, to say 
the least, are doubtful economy, unless the same are 
thoroughly overhauled and repaired by a competent 
machinist before commencing operations. Tubing of 
the same kind, is far worse. Many valuable wells, or 
at least that gave bright promise of proving so, have 
been ruined from the use of second-hand tubing, while 
the delay and loss occasioned, have been very great. 
Operators have at last found that the best is the cheap¬ 
est ; buy new material, and have all their machinery in 
the most complete order before the work of drilling is 
commenced. This forethought brings a corresponding 


PUMPING AND FLOWING. 


153 


reward, but few accidents being met with when this 
plan is adopted. 

The striking of the flowing wells, as has been stated 
elsewhere, was a new and startling feature in the busi¬ 
ness. One after another of these leviathans was struck, 
yielding from 1,000 to 3,000 barrels per day each. The 
oil flowed spontaneously as it were from the earth, as 
freely as water and nearly as limpid in appearance. 
The operators of small pumping wells were greatly 
puzzled at this marvellous phenomenon. If it were pos¬ 
sible to continue the new mode of supply, it was 
argued that the source would soon become exhausted. 
If not, the product itself, from the great quantity 
forced on a limited market, would render prices unre- 
munerative. The large wells continuing to flow week 
after week and month after month, in but slightly 
diminished supply, restored the confidence of operators 
to a great degree. Many of them abandoned their 
small pumping wells, and went earnestly to work drill¬ 
ing new ones to the third sandrock, where all the flow¬ 
ing w^ells had found their supply. The success was 
great. On a space of about twelve acres, on the Blood 
farm, there were, in 1861, no less than thirteen flowing 
wells, ranging in capacity from 150 to 1,000 barrels each. 

The rapid accumulation of oil lowered prices to 
such an extent, that scores of owners of small wells 
became discouraged, and abandoned them, going back 
to their homes, after investing most of their means in 
an unprofitable venture. Cool-headed men reasoned, 
like the philosopher of the Noachian period, that it 
would not be much of a shower after all, securing in 
the mean time everything that promised to be of value 
in the future. Others there were who, like the man 
upon the banks of the river, concluded to wait until it 
should run by. 


154 


PETROLIA. 


The supply kept up persistently, and in the end 
proved a permanent boon. The cheap rate at which 
the article could be furnished, induced its introduction 
to every portion of the civilized world. Once intro¬ 
duced, and its uses properly understood, it became in¬ 
dispensable to the wants of the people. The consump¬ 
tion increased at a rapid rate also, so that ten and 
twelve dollars per barrel were obtained in less than 
two years from the time of striking the large wells. 
The foreign exports of 1862 were 10 , 887,701 gallons. 
That of 1868 will foot up nearly 100 , 000,000 gallons, 
and this demand is increasing at the rate of nearly fifty 
per cent, per annum. The appreciation in value of our 
national currency, and the lessening of the cost of 
production and transportation, have reduced the price 
to a maximum of from four to five dollars per barrel. 
At this figure, even a very small well is a good paying 
investment to the operator, that is, if he is content with 
a net profit of from ten to sixty dollars per day. 




CHAPTER XI. 

VARIOUS PHENOMENA OF OIL WELLS, &C. 

Various theories have been given as to the causes 
combining to form a flowing well. For the most part 
these are vague and unsatisfactory. In theorizing we 
are apt to overlook the physical laws of nature. These 
are ever simple, and admit of practical solution when 
once understood. The flowing well is doubtless caused 
by a peculiarity in the form of the crevice containing 
the gas, oil, and salt water, or from an elevation of the 
sandrock above the uniform depth. Into this elevated 
portion of the crevice the gas ascends from its lighter 
specific gravity. When the crevice is penetrated by 
the centre-bit, the gas forces the contents of the same 
through the aperture to the surface until its force is 
exhausted. The contents of the crevice lying at a 
lower elevation can only be had by use of the pump. 
Any agitation of the oil tends to bring it to the sur¬ 
face. That caused by the gas greatly exceeds the 
agitation occasioned by the pump. That salt water 
has something to do with the formation of Petro¬ 
leum, combined it may be with other substances, we 
have but little doubt. Whether it acts merely as 
a decomposing agent, or supplies from its own com¬ 
position the gas or oil, or both, in any respect, is a 
question we leave to those better versed in the field 
of science. The fact that oil and salt water have been 
invariably found at the same depth, and come to the 
surface so intimately commingled, indicates an affinity, 


156 


PETROLIA. 


at least, of the substances. The rock itself is generally 
of close texture, and averages in thickness from twenty 
to sixty feet, in the different localities. In all places 
where this hard, thick rock has been found, the wells 
seem to have a more intimate connection, as though 
the supply of an entire locality was drawn from a 
reservoir having more or less continuity. Hence, all 
the flowing wells had their production interfered with, 
and in most cases stopped, from the sinking of other 
wells in their immediate vicinity. The oil field of 
Pleasantville, the development of which was com¬ 
menced the past year, exhibited a new feature. The 
sandrock, the third we presume, where the supply of 
oil has been found in that locality, is of a coarse, po¬ 
rous nature, and only averages about twenty feet in 
thickness. The wells are all pumping, with but a mod¬ 
erate supply of gas, plenty of salt water, and after nine 
months of constant developing, but few wells were 
flooded with water from any of the neighboring ones. 
But many of the same wells have so greatly decreased 
in production since as to be worthless. In this, the 
latest oil field, operators, profiting from past experi¬ 
ence, have adopted the system of “ casing ” in all the 
wells of that locality. This has doubtless a great deal 
to do with the prevention of flooding. Still, we are of 
opinion, effectual as the system has seemed to prove in 
the instance named, circumstances, more or less favor¬ 
able, have had considerable influence in its exemption 
from this prominent evil to oil miners in other locali¬ 
ties. The oil itself obtained at Pleasantville, though 
possessing the illuminating and other qualities, so far as 
tested, in all general respects with that of Oil Creek, is of 
different color, being nearly black. The sandrock has 
no doubt something to do with this, as well as the exemp¬ 
tion from flooding, or connection with the water-veins. 


PHENOMENA OF OIL WELLS. 


157 


Some of our practical operators hold to the theory 
that the flooding of the wells, by which they are 
rendered worthless for production, in any locality, is 
only a matter of time, from six months to a year being 
the average. Triumph Hill, at Tidioute, and the Ben- 
nehoff and Stevenson farms, as well as other localities, 
have verified fully the predictions thus made at the 
commencement of their development. The argument 
advanced in support of this theory is, that the oil on 
the surface, or above the body of salt water, becomes 
exhausted, to a great extent at least, leaving but little 
save salt water to pump. Some wells exhausting their 
supply before the others, causes a general flooding with 
water of all the others in the vicinity. Triumph Hill 
became thus flooded in the course of a few days. In 
other localities the flooding of wells has been more 
gradual. 

The operators so fortunate as to strike large flowing 
wells theorized but little. The drillers’ records were 
anything but satisfactory, being only a record, in fact, 
of the depth at which the different sandrocks were 
found beneath the surface. Being but in few instances 
practical miners, their records possess little value, and 
shed but a dim ray of light upon the vexed ques¬ 
tion. Subsequent developments were conducted with 
more care, but even at this date, too great a degree of 
carelessness is exhibited by operators in this important 
particular. A brief account of some of the large flow¬ 
ing wells, the history of their development, and inci¬ 
dents connected with the same, may not prove unin¬ 
teresting to the reader. 

“ The Funk well, on the MTlhenny farm, commenced 
to flow in June, 1861 , at the rate of 250 barrels per 
day, and yielded a constant supply for fifteen months. 
The Philips well, on the Tarr farm, commenced to 


158 


PETROLIA. 


flow in the Fall of the same year, at the rate of from 
3,000 to 4,000 barrels per day, and was followed by 
the Empire well, on the M‘Ilhenny farm, yielding from 
the start about the same. A flowing well had been 
struck previous to any of these, on the Watson Flats, 
near Titusville. Upon the penetration of the drill 
through the crevice of the rock containing the reser¬ 
voir, the oil and gas came out of the well with great 
force, throwing the drilling tools to a considerable dis¬ 
tance, and igniting instantaneously upon reaching the 
surface, injuring the workmen severely. The usual ex¬ 
plosion and shock occurred. So great was the force of 
the explosion, that a man walking along the road at 
some distance from the well, was thrown into a mill¬ 
pond near by. The derrick and engine-house were 
completely wrecked.” 

The Burning well, on the John Buchanan farm, 
said to have been the first of the large flowing wells, 
was struck in April, 1861. Its tragic history consti¬ 
tutes the most notable event in the early development. 
The following account, given by an eye-witness, is the 
most reliable description we have been enabled to pro¬ 
cure of the sad aftair. The narrator, who, it appears, 
had an interest in the well, states : 

“ We had drilled to the depth of over 300 feet, and 
were expecting to strike oil at any moment. We went 
up to the shanty where we boarded, that is Mr. R. and 
ourself, to supper, and were on our way back to the 
well, which was just below, in the hollow, when we 
saw the men hurrahing, and presently a jet of gas, 
water, and oil rushed up, fairly lifting the tools out of 
the well. It roared and hissed like letting oft' the 
steam from a boiler. The stream seemed to me to 
reach to a greater height than the derrick, which was 
forty feet high. The people of the neighborhood came 


PHENOMENA OF OIL WELLS. 


159 


down with their shovels, and dug a circular trench 
around the well, throwing up a bank to catch the oil, 
as we had not expected such a flood, and had no tanks 
ready. The gas mingled with the air, and for a dis¬ 
tance about the well, the air was almost yellow with 
the gas and spray of the oil from the fountain. 

“ Mr. Rouse and myself looked on awhile, and then 
started to go to the engine-house of the next well to 
have the flres put out. Before we had reached it, 
however, the gas took fire like a flash of lightning. 

Mr. R-, who was passing a small tank of oil, was 

covered with it as it took fire, and I lost sight of him 
for a moment. My hair and face were burned, but I 
was not much hurt. The sight of the burning well 
was horrible. A great fountain of fire, it wavered to 
and fro with the wind, and threw off blazing jets of 
oil. The poor people who were dipping oil around the 
well, wilted down before it like leaves when a forest 
is on fire. Some tried to crawl away, but the liquid 
flame ran along the ground, and caught them. Several 
hundred barrels of oil belonging to an adjoining well 
caught fire. Vast clouds of smoke floated off over the 
hills, and when the night set in, the hills and clouds 

were red with the light of the conflagration. Mr. R-- 

died soon after.” 

From the best accounts the gas ignited from the 
engine pumping the Wadsworth well, some eight 
rods distant. The explosion was from the tank of 
the same well. All the houses on the farm were 
shaken as if by an earthquake. All this occurred with¬ 
in thirty minutes after striking the vein of oil in the 
well; the oil and gas pouring forth from the well with 
great fury, and threatening to fill the whole valley with 
a sea of fire. As estimated, from ninety to one hun¬ 
dred persons were standing around the well, many of 




160 


PETROLIA. 


whom were enveloped in the flames, and saturated 
with the burning fluid. Of thirty-eight persons 
burned, eighteen died of their injuries. Among the 
latter was Mr. H. R. Rouse, one of the proprietors of 
the well and the farm, an energetic and enterprising 
business man, highly esteemed. Many of the victims 
could not be removed, and were well nigh consumed. 
Other accounts of the fire place the number ol lives 
lost by this accident at thirty. 

The fire continued to burn for several days, and was 
finally extinguished by digging up earth, carrying it 
upon blankets, and smothering the flames. After the 
fire was extinguished, some sixty feet of chamber, or 
tubing, was put in the well, when it flowed about 
20,000 barrels and ceased. After this, tubing was ex¬ 
tended down to the second sandrock, a depth of about 
300 feet from the surface, and a pump inserted, but no 
oil was found. Numerous trials were made afterwards, 
but without avail. 

The striking of the Philips and Empire wells was 
followed by others in irregular succession in the sub¬ 
sequent years, among the principal of which was the 
Van Slyke well, on the Widow M‘Clintock farm, yield¬ 
ing 1,500 barrels per day ; the Brawley well, on the 
Buchauan farm, 1,000 barrels; Blood well, Blood farm, 
1,000 barrels; Noble well, 2,500 barrels; Caldwell 
well, 1,000barrels; Sherman well, 1,000 to 1,200barrels; 
Reid well, on Cherry Run, 600 to 800 ; Maple Shade, 
Hyde & Egbert farm, 1,000 to 1,500 barrels ; Coquette, 
on same larm, 600 to 800 ; the United States, on Pit- 
hole Creek, 600 to 800, and many others of less note. 

The brief history of the embarrassing circumstances 
attendant upon the drilling of some of the wells may 
prove of interest in this connection. Captain Funk 
owned some few acres of land on Oil Creek. When the 


PHENOMENA OF OIL WELLS. 


161 


development began he concluded to have a well put 
down. He gave a lease to a man named M‘Ilhenny, 
who undertook the task of drilling the well by the 
tedious process of the spring-pole. The labor became 
wearisome after the depth of 80 to 100 feet had been 
reached. A horse-power was substituted, and the work 
carried on to successful completion. 

“ The Sherman well was commenced by a gentle¬ 
man of that name. Mr. Sherman came to the Oil 
Region at an early day with limited means, but had 
control of a small amount of capital belonging to his 
wife. He obtained a lease on the Foster farm, on Oil 
Creek, and commenced to put down a well by means 
of the spring-pole. He had a fine show of oil, but long 
before reaching any considerable vein, his funds gave 
out. Working by this mode was no longer possible 
on account of the depth of the well, and there were no 
means at hand for purchasing a horse and horse-power. 
After working and waiting for something favorable to 
turn up, an interest in the well was finally exchanged 
for a horse, and the work proceeded. But after a time 
the labor became too severe for the poor horse, and the 
well was once more at a dead stand. Another interest 
was sold to two men who owned a small engine, and 
the work once more went forward. But coal was ex¬ 
pensive, and none of the partners being able to pur¬ 
chase, another sixteenth was offered for sale to raise 
the necessary funds to purchase fuel. After a time this 
interest was sold for eighty dollars and a shot-gun. 
The money, and perhaps the shot-gun, were about 
expended, and the spirits of the partners at a low ebb, 
when the drill penetrated a crevice that yielded at once 
from 1,000 to 1,200 barrels per day, and their fortunes 
were made. The Sherman continued to yield for two 
or three vears. finally coming down to a pumping well.” 


162 


PETKOLIA. 


The following account is given of the Smith farm, 
on Cherry Run, the property of the Cherry Run Petro¬ 
leum Company: 

u A man named Smith owned a farm of fifty acres 
on Cherry Run. Unable to make anything out of it, 
he endeavored to sell the farm, and try his luck at oil 
mining. He owed some money, and his creditors were 
pressing him. In a desperate mood, he applied to J. 
W. Sherman, who had then recently struck oil, and 
was reputed to be getting rich, offering to sell the 
farm for $250. Sherman declined, and advised him to 
keep the farm, in case something advantageous should 
turn up. But Smith was determined to sell, and even¬ 
tually found a purchaser at $500. The new owner sold 
it for $2,400. It was afterward purchased by the 
Cherry Run Petroleum Company for $6,500. The 
company at once proceeded to develop it, and it proved 
to be one among the best oil-producing farms in the 
Oil Region, ample fortunes having been realized by its 
fortunate owners.” 

Scores of similar experiences could be related, but 
the preceding instances, in general terms, cover the rest. 
The Noble well is said to have yielded to its owners 
$3,000,000. The Hyde & Egbert farm, on Oil Creek, 
rendered its owners millionaires in a very short time. 
The owners of the Noble well gave $142,000 for the 
Caldwell well, adjacent to their own, the purchase 
being made as a precautionary measure merely, to pre¬ 
vent any interference of the wells. It is stated on 
good authority, that during the oil excitement of 1864 
and 1865, oil stock companies, representing a capital 
stock of $65,000,000, were based upon interests held 
on the Hyde & Egbert farm, the extent of the farm 
being scarcely forty acres, embracing about a dozen 
producing wells. The yield of several of these, how¬ 
ever, was enormous. 


PHENOMENA OF OIL WELLS. 


1G3 


The phenomena exhibited by the large wells were, 
of course, novel, but in general respects, considerable uni¬ 
formity was observed in their flow. Some of them 
poured out a steady stream, with scarcely a percep¬ 
tible agitation, save the ceaseless splash of the oil in the 
tank. Others flowed by breaths as it were, regularly 
as a pulse beats. Others, again, were spasmodic, throw¬ 
ing out large quantities of oil at regular intervals, this 
being forced against the sides of the tauk with great 
force, roaring and hissing like the steam from a ’scape- 
pipe, churning the oil in the tank into a foam. Many 
of the larger pumping wells of the present day exhibit 
similar features, but in a less degree. 

The Yankee well, on the Smith farm, Cherry Run, 
was probably one of the most eccentric of the flowing 
wells. As described : “ After a rest of twenty minutes, 
discharging neither oil nor gas, gentle puffs of gas, 
accompanied by small spurts of oil, were visible at the 
end of the conducting-pipe, both increasing in volume 
for two or three minutes, until they became violent and 
frequent. The noise could be heard for the distance 
of a few hundred yards. The noise and discharge 
would then subside gradually, and in five or six min¬ 
utes cease altogether. The production of this well 
was about fifty barrels per day, producing at this rate 
for a long time. From the general working of the 
well, it was conjectured by its owner that the oil came 
from a great distance.” The gas wells of the Oil Re¬ 
gion have been quite numerous, having been struck in 
almost every locality. Some of th'ese produced a medi¬ 
um supply of oil, seldom exceeding fifty barrels per 
day, and others nothing but gas. The volume of gas 
in all of them was very great; and some few are still 
in operation, having been struck recently, or rather 
during the present year. Several of them have pro- 


164 


PETROLIA. 


duced no oil, but continued to pour forth for months a 
steady stream of gas. It is supposed in these cases 
that the drill penetrated a crevice where the gas is 
located, being in such instances some distance from the 
oil, the passage being admitted to the one substance 
and prevented hi the case of the other. Such wells are 
generally regarded as a nuisance, but few of them 
proving permanently productive. 

The method of tubing the flowing wells was similar 
in all respects to the description heretofore given, ex¬ 
cepting that the pumping apparatus was dispensed 
with, and a conducting tube, called a “ goose-neck,” 
which it resembled in shape, placed on the mouth of 
the tubing at the top of the well, conducted the oil to 
the wooden receiving tanks. At large flowing wells 
these were quite numerous, 1,200 barrels being about 
the largest size. These were connected by means of 
two-inch iron pipes running from one tank to another, 
with suitable apparatus to draw off the water that 
settles to the bottom, or the oil, when barrelled. 
These were placed as near the banks of the Creek as 
circumstances would allow, in order to facilitate trans¬ 
portation, the oil being frequently run from the tanks 
into the bulk boats. When a large flowing well was 
struck, several days generally occurred before it could 
be tubed and arrangements made for saving the oil. 
Where boats could be obtained and the w T ell was ad¬ 
jacent to the Creek, the oil was run into them. In the 
absence of such facilities, the oil was allowed to cover 
the adjacent ground, or run into the Creek, many per¬ 
sons realizing handsomely by digging trenches into 
which the oil was collected, and then dipping it from 
these into barrels or other suitable vessels. Even after 
the well was tubed the waste was great, fully one- 
seventh in the early years. 


PHENOMENA OF OIL WELLS. 


165 


The presence of salt water in wells drilled below 
the second sandrock, and even the first, is invariable. 
This varies in density, in some wells being equal to 
that obtained in the best salt-producing localities. The 
operator expects to find oil wherever salt water is ob¬ 
tained. No satisfactory explanation has been given of 
this seemingly intimate relationship between salt brine 
and Petroleum. An eminent writer gives the follow¬ 
ing as his solution. It is : 

“ That the strata in which they are found, at one 
period in the world’s history, formed parts of the 
ocean’s bed. This may have consisted of limestones, 
sandstones, or conglomerates, all saturated with brine, 
and reposing on what had been beds of clay, containing 
carbonaceous ingredients ; while the process of baking 
this clay into shales, filled it with cracks and seams, that 
have since become so many veins filled with salt water 
or Petroleum expressed from rocks subsequently formed? 
the whole being upheaved to their present elevation.” 

As a general rule, the oil and salt water are in such 
close proximity, that it cannot be definitely ascertained 
which is struck first. Operators have clearly ascertained 
that the oil exists in crevices or fractures of the rock, 
which is indicated by the rapid sinking of the bit when 
drilling, and that the largest quantities have been found 
in the stratum generally known as the u third ” sandrock. 
This rock varies in thickness in the various localities, 
as will be seen by reference to the description of the 
farms in another portion of this work. What connec¬ 
tion there is, or what important function this sandrock 
performs, beyond an oil receptacle, is unknown. A 
shaft sunk to a proper depth, revealing this stratum to 
the inspection of practical men, would doubtless solve 
the mystery. That a plan of this kind will be finally 
carried into successful execution, is not at all doubt- 


166 


PETKOLIA. 


fill. Though such an enterprise is perfectly practicable, 
it would be costly, but the results obtained could 
hardly fail to be highly remunerative. Two attempts 
of the kind were made in 1864 and 1865, one on the 
Allegheny River, at Tidioute, and the other on the 
Hayes farm, adjoining the Hyde & Egbert, on Oil 
Creek. The general plan of these was to sink a shaft 
to the depth of the first sandrock, and then drift in any 
required direction. It was supposed that enough oil 
would be obtained at this stratum to pay the entire ex 
pense, while that obtained from the strata below would 
be clear profit. The same process, as regards drifting, 
to be pursued at the subsequent strata where oil is 
found. The air in the shaft was to be kept pure by 
means of fresh air from the surface being pumped in 
by means of powerful engines. The dimensions of the 
shaft at the Hayes farm were nine by seventeen feet. 
Seventy feet was the maximum depth attained, when 
the work was abandoned for want of means. Enough 
has been done, however, to show the entire practica¬ 
bility of such a scheme. 

The greatest obstacle to the oil operator is the 
large quantity of water met with. This water comes 
from the surface and from the water veins beneath, 
generally met with at no greater depth than 150 feet, 
and is in such quantity as to often literally drown him 
out. Hundreds of wells have been rendered worthless 
by “ flooding,” as it is called. Wells cased in the man¬ 
ner before described, are not so seriously affected by 
water, for the reason that the seed-bag, which cuts off 
the water-veins below, remains stationary in all wells 
that are cased. This, in tv ells not cased, is moved each 
time a removal of the tubing is necessitated, allowing the 
water to descend, flooding and rendering worthless all 
the wells surrounding that are located on the same crev- 


PHENOMENA OF OIL WELLS. 


167 


ice, for considerable distances. It is an undeniable fact 
that the flooding of each other by wells on the same 
crevice, or having any connection, is only a matter 
of time or circumstances. The method of casing the 
wells with artesian tubing was especially designed to 
prevent this result. So far, the system has proved ad¬ 
mirable, and no doubt such means will be devised as 
to prevent its recurrence entirely. 

The sinking of one well in close proximity to an¬ 
other, before the system of casing was adopted, gen¬ 
erally flooded, or drew from the well its oil supply, by 
diverting the current of oil and gas in its. own direc¬ 
tion. As the leases consist of from one to half an acre 
each, the operator in previous as in present years has no 
protection against this serious evil. When a good well 
was struck, parties commenced immediately to sink 
wells in as close proximity as possible to it, for the ex¬ 
press purpose of flooding or obtaining its supply of oil. 
By this means they hoped to compel the owners of the 
producing well to pay them certain sums in the form 
of a compromise. The system of casing effectually 
prevents flooding by water, and greatly obviates the 
danger of losing their supply of oil by having the cur¬ 
rent diverted in other directions. In former years it 
was a custom often practised, for both the contending 
parties to draw their tubing at the same time, render¬ 
ing their wells worthless for production. Finally a 
compromise would be effected. Though generally 
restricted by the terms of the lease from such im¬ 
proper action, a way was found to evade the conditions 
imposed. 

From the fact that crevices appear more continuous 
in some places than others, interference, likewise, takes 
place to a similar extent, wherever such features exist. 
The entire flat portion of the valley of Oil Creek, the 


PETEOLIA. 


168 

Stevenson farm, on the hill back of Petroleum Centre, 
Pith ole, Triumph Hill, at Tidioute, Bennehoff Run, in 
fact the greater portion of the territory developed in 
former and subsequent years, is all affected to a greater 
or less degree by this cause, and rendered more or less 
unproductive. 

The landowners could doubtless remedy this evil, 
if inclined to do so. A large number, unfortunately, 
are not. Being generally non-residents, they seem to 
lease their lands with a view of obtaining all the avail¬ 
able oil from them in as short a period as possible. 
Many of them argue that only a maximum amount of 
oil can be obtained from a certain extent of territory, 
and it is just as well to get it all in two years, by sink¬ 
ing a large number of wells, as to occupy twenty years, 
by sinking a smaller number, to accomplish the same 
results. This selfish reasoning, besides being false in 
point of fact, is ruinous upon the future of the entire 
business. Others wish to have their lands developed, 
in the hope of obtaining large profits and the first cost 
of investment from the royalty, and after this to obtain 
possession of the wells successively abandoned, to work 
for their individual benefit. In honorable contrast to 
these, are many others of the class who are disposed to 
grant leases of several acres in extent, so that lessees 
can be afforded some measure of protection, binding 
the lessees in question to drill a certain number of 
wells per annum. 

The most remarkable case of flooding wells occurred 
on the Tarr farm several years since. The Woodford 
was sunk but a short distance from the celebrated 
Philips well. Upon reaching the third sandrock it was 
found that the Woodford flooded the Philips. The 
Woodford was tubed, but could obtain nothing but oil 
so mixed with water as to render it of slight com- 


PHENOMENA OF OIL WELLS. 


169 


mercial value, while the Philips pumped pure oil. But 
whenever the owners of the Woodford removed their 
tubing, the oil of the Philips well was rendered worth¬ 
less. After a conflict that lasted many months, and 
resulted in effectually flooding the entire flat portion 
of the Blood and Tarr farms, rendering fully sixty 
wells unproductive, a compromise was effected. The 
Woodford produces but little or no oil at present, 
while the Philips pumps about fifty barrels per day, 
having produced almost continuously for seven years. 

The system of casing now practised is to tube to 
the first sand rock, w T ith four and a half to five inch 
artesian tubing, the bore of the well being drilled 
slightly smaller from that depth, leaving a shoulder for 
the bottom of the tubing to rest upon. A tight seed- 
bag is put on this at the proper depth, and in cases the 
sediment settling at the shoulder answers as well. This 
plan has so far answered the purpose for which it was 
devised; and when it fails, a better one will be put in 
operation. The tapping of the oil veins where the 
wells are drawing their supply from the same crevice 
will always ensue to a greater or less degree. The 
flooding of oil territory generally proceeds from the 
neglect to properly shut off the water from wells that 
are abandoned. Where all the wells on a farm are 
kept constantly pumping, flooding does not occur to 
any material estent. Though a crevice, or crevices, or, 
as it is now teamed, a “ belt,” may extend in one gen¬ 
eral course, it does not necessarily follow that there is 
a continuous connection of the oil and water veins. 
If such were the case, all the wells in a locality would 
be simultaneously affected by like results. Experience 
goes to show unmistakably, that each well has certain 
peculiar features, different from any of those surround¬ 
ing it, and these are distinctly apparent. The differ- 
8 


170 


PETROLIA. 


ences consist in the difference of the flow and in the 
motion necessary to pump them. 

A well yielding a production of from 100 to 150 
barrels per day, is often obtained in the midst of wells 
that are only producing a tithe of that amount, nor 
seeming in the slightest degree to diminish the supply 
of the previously producing wells. A general “ law 
of lawlessness ” prevails in these strange vagaries or 
freaks of the wells, which admits as yet of no satisfac¬ 
tory explanation. The theories upon each of the dif¬ 
ferent features are numerous. At the present rate of 
progress, but a few short years will elapse before a cor¬ 
rect knowledge of all these seemingly impenetrable 
mysteries of nature will be obtained. 

The theory was advanced in early and subsequent 
years, that the wells yielded less production in winter 
than in summer. We have seen no practical proof 
of the assertion, beyond the natural one, that cold 
weather interferes to a greater extent with operations 
carried on at the earth’s surface. The state of the 
atmosphere can surely have but slight effect on the oil 
at the depth of several hundred feet from the surface. 

Another remarkable feature has been mentioned by 
Wright, “ that in some wells, where it has been tested 
by the thermometer, the temperature of the oil as it 
comes to the surface, is but slightly above the freezing 
point.” We have ourselves seen pellets of ice dis¬ 
charged from the conducting-pipe of a well in mid-sum¬ 
mer, but supposed it proceeded from either the rapid 
condensation or evaporation of the gas as it came in 
contact with the atmosphere, or both. If this fact 
was clearly established, it would no doubt be vastly 
comforting to many hardened sinners in this portion 
of the vineyard, and cause a perceptible falling oif in 
the contributions for home and foreign missions. The 


PHENOMENA OF OIL WELLS. 171 

same authority says: “ As the decreasing temperature 
is measured in ascending from the sea-level, so its in¬ 
crease is measured downward, as in caverns and mines. 
The rate of increase in descending is estimated at one 
degree Fahrenheit for each sixty feet. At this rate, 
the oil, water, and gas, brought from a depth of 600 
feet, would be ten degrees warmer than on the sur¬ 
face. This phenomena is in direct opposition to the 
igneous theory advanced by eminent geologists, who 
have determined the exact distance from the surface 
that our globe is in a liquid state. The experiments 
made were crude, and, perhaps, not to be fully relied 
on. The decreasing temperature of the oil as it arrives 
at the surface may be owing to causes of a different 
nature.” 

It would be futile to attempt a philosophical ex¬ 
planation of the various phenomena we have enu¬ 
merated, at this stage of the Petroleum development, 
subject as it is to so many contradictions or new 
phases each day, over so great an extent of territory, 
each locality differing in minor details at least, and 
principally from their action being evolved at so great 
a distance from the earth’s surface. We are content 
to leave their solution to the results that will be ob¬ 
tained by the miner’s drill, that being the safest 
premises for both author and reader. 

It is a debatable question whether the oil supply 
becomes exhausted in any locality. The wells may be¬ 
come flooded, and rendered unproductive for a time at 
least. But we are of opinion that whenever the heavy 
body of water is removed, the wells will again prove 
productive, probably not to as great an extent as be¬ 
fore. The employment of pumps sufficiently powerful to 
lift this mass of water from the oil is all, in our opinion, 
that will be required. To do this will require a con- 


172 


PETROLIA. 


cert of action upon the part of the landed and working 
interests, and the expenditure of a large amount of 
labor and money. Nor will it he done so long as new 
oil fields present themselves for development in such 
rapid succession as in the last two years. 

The question, and oft-recurring one at this date, is 
whether there is any reproduction of Petroleum going 
on at the present time. Some there are who believe 
it to be a deposit formed ages since, the requisite 
amount manufactured, and enclosed in the rocky vaults 
where it is now found. While we are free to admit the 
antiquity of the causes from which its formation was 
first evolved, we cannot believe that its manufacture, 
so to speak, has ever ceased. The same causes, it is 
fair to presume, still exist, and are as actively at work 
as in any other age of the world, and the same ele¬ 
ments are equally as abundant. 


CHAPTER XII. 


THEORIES OF THE ORIGIN OF PETROLEUM. 

The origin and the causes which lead to or unite in 
the formation of Petroleum, and its deposition in the 
strata in which it is found, have proved an inexhaustible 
theme for writers, and elicited no small degree of in¬ 
terest in scientific minds. Upon a subject of which so 
little can be known, theorizing, if futile so far as im¬ 
mediate practical results are concerned, is highly useful 
in inducing inquiry and investigation that will event¬ 
ually result in its successful solution. We give the 
most reasonable theories we can obtain, not so much 
for the light they shed upon the subject, as to show 
the industry and ingenuity displayed by their different 
authors. As has been truthfully remarked, if the 
Petroleum of the different wells was of the same 
quality, and the strata from which they are derived of 
the same character, a great obstacle in the way of 
reasoning out a theory would be removed. But the 
Petroleums not only of the United States, but even of 
the different localities of the Oil Region, differ very 
materially. In theorizing upon this subject, one emi¬ 
nent authority says: 

“ The theory that the Petroleum of Canada, which 
occurs in the older Silurian rocks, is derived from the 
decomposition of vast numbers of marine animals, is not 
an unreasonable one. In distillation the Canada Petro¬ 
leums yield acroleine, an oil which is obtained from 


174 


PETKOLIA. 


animal oil and fats. The vapor of acroleine is very 
pungent, and attacks the mucous membrane of the 
throat and lungs, causing great irritation. Fish oil 
yields it by distillation. It is not found in the Petro¬ 
leums of Pennsylvania.” 

Another learned writer states : 

“ The transformation of wooden fibre into oil is a 
chemical change, taking place always out of contact 
with atmospheric air, and usually under water, but by 
no means connected with any particular geological 
period, as, for example, the coal epoch, with which 
many intelligent people associate it.” 

Another authority on the subject, Dr. Gesner, says: 

“ During the passage of vegetable substances into 
coal, there is an escape of vast quantities of carbon 
combined with hydrogen. It is only necessary that 
the gases of these elements should be condensed to pro¬ 
duce hydro-carbon oils. The operation is a decompos¬ 
ing and combining one, and the new combinations 
formed during the transmutation of wood into coal, 
have a close analogy to those produced during the dis¬ 
tillation of wood without the admission of air. The 
gases generated in strata of coal and coal strata, are 
always under great pressure, which tends to their con¬ 
densation, and the consequent formation of oil. 

“ That coal has been derived from vegetables is un¬ 
doubted. Peat and wood are found to pass by in¬ 
sensible shades into lignite, lignite into compact, bitu¬ 
minous coal, and the end of the transformation ap¬ 
pears in the anthracite, from which nearly all the 
hydrogen has been expelled, and carbon remains. 

“ From the expulsion of oxygen, carbon and 
hydrogen, from wood, and the variety it presents until 
it forms true coal, heat has not been absolutely neces¬ 
sary, although it has doubtless exercised a powerful in- 


THEORIES OF ITS ORIGIN. 


175 


fluence in connection with those chemical changes ever 
going forward in the earth. 

“ The condensation of hydrogen and carbon pro¬ 
ducing oil, and the fact of strata of coal and shale before 
they reach the maximum of carbonization giving out 
these elements in great quantities under pressure, and 
the tendency of these gases and oils to diffuse them¬ 
selves, are fair reasons for finding oil in formations 
bearing no traces of vegetation.” 

Another writer supposes : “ That the Petroleum of 
Pennsylvania arises from the distillation by subter¬ 
ranean heat of the hydro-carbon agents resident in the 
carbonaceous strata underlying the Oil Region.” 

Another writer says: “ That the great beds of 
anthracite coal of Pennsylvania, on the southerly slope 
of the Alleghenies, are merely the residuary coke, as 
it were, of a distillating process, which has converted 
their bituminous matter into oil, and distributed it by 
some convulsion of the earth through the formation be¬ 
yond the mountain range.” 

The theory of the scientific men of the present day 
in explanation of the source of salt in the sea is this: 
“ The carbonic acid of the air is constantly acting upon 
the rocks and on the surface of the earth, thus turning 
them to clay, and forming carbonates with the soda, 
potash, lime, and magnesia set free. These are carried 
down as carbonates to the sea, where the carbonate 
of soda decomposes the chloride of calcium of its 
waters, and forms common salt and carbonate of lime. 

This series of actions is the source of the salt of the 
sea, of clays, and of limestone. Organic living beings 
do not generate the carbonate of lime, but appropriate 
it, when formed for them by chemical reactions ; and 
thus great portions of our limestone rocks are made up 
of fossil remains. In a volume of limestone there is 


176 


PETROLIA. 


separated and condensed from the air a large amount 
of carbonic acid gas ; the early atmosphere was, there¬ 
fore, very dense and unfit for the sustenance ot the 
higher forms of life, until by far the greater portion ot 
this gas had been removed by the formation of the 
carbonate of lime and vegetable matter now constitut¬ 
ing coal and Petroleum.” 

The following exhaustive treatise on the subject is 
taken from the report of the United States Commis¬ 
sioner of Agriculture, and published several years 
since: 

It is probable that all instances of solid bitumen 
found on or beneath the surface of the earth have re¬ 
sulted from the hardening of drops or reservoirs of 
liquid coal oil. The lumps and crystals of graphite 
found in the oldest rocks, like the lumps of amber 
found in the newest, were doubtless oily substances 
involved by sand and mud. Flakes of anthracite are 
found in the centre of rock crystal. Gelatinous animals 
and mucous plants abounded in these ancient seas, and 
ought to have provided, by their death, plenty of 
animal and vegetable hydro-carbon for the mineral. 
The old red sandstones, like modern formations, pre¬ 
sent us, for our cabinets, innumerable flattened fish, 
converted into bitumen ; some in so perfect a state 
that every scale can be counted, and every sculptured 
line upon them submitted separately to the microscope ; 
others an undistinguish able mass or daub of tar. Some 
rocks have been so thoroughly charged with animal 
dead matter that they emit a foetid odor whenever 
struck, and are technically known as stink stones. The 
bituminous limestones and shales of many different 
geological ages are so many reservoirs of animal and 
vegetable oil, produced by the death and decomposi¬ 
tion of successive floral and faunal creations, perhaps, 


THEORIES OF ITS ORIGIN. 


177 


principally coralline. The fossiliferous black shales of 
the central belt of the State of New York underlie 
Lake Erie, cross Ohio and Kentucky into Tennessee, 
and return through Indiana and form the beds of lakes 
Michigan and Huron. In middle Kentucky, the faces 
of the rocks are smeared and streaked with oil, fried 
out of them by the sun, so that the surfaces are black¬ 
ened as if by tar. 

Up to the horizon of these black slates, ascending 
in the columns of deposits, gelatinous sea organisms, 
both animal and vegetable, seem to have constituted 
the principal, if not the sole apparatus for generating 
Petroleum. But Dawson has lately discovered in the 
sandstones over them a true angiospermous exogenous 
tree, not much, if any, lower in the scale of develop¬ 
ment than those of which our forests are composed. 
Coniferous trees began also to abound, and coal beds 
to be deposited in groups. Thence the higher we 
ascend towards and through the second, and the third 
or great coal measures, the more abundant became the 
vestiges of fresh water and land vegetation, until, in 
the tree stumps of the coal beds of Nova Scotia we 
find small land animals. The mosses and ferns, the 
rushes and reeds, minute and gigantic, of which the 
coal beds came, suggest the vegetable origin of oil. 
For it is near or between the three systems of coal 
measures proper that the amazing discoveries of sub¬ 
terranean reservoirs of oil had taken place. It is im¬ 
possible to suppress the suspicion that Petroleum is a 
product of the slow decomposition of vegetable tissue. 

But the oil wells are not sunk in coal measures, but 
through them at the edge of the great coal area. The 
oil is never found in coal beds ; nor have the subter¬ 
ranean reservoirs of oil apparently any connection with 
coal beds, nor even with coal slates, or bituminous shales 
8 * 


178 


PETEOLIA. 


or pyroschists, as they are called. Black slate, cannel, 
fat coal, like lignite, peat and living wood, will yield 
the oil and gases by distillation, but the geological dis¬ 
tinction must be carefully preserved between the free 
Petroleum of the rocks and wells, and the distilled 
Petroleum of the old oil works. 

The connection of the oil region with the coal 
basins of western Pennsylvania and Virginia, and east¬ 
ern Ohio, and Kentucky, is, in good measure, a geo¬ 
graphical deception. (In the report of a geological 
reconnoissance of Indiana, 1859, 1860, under D. D. 
Owen, State geologist, and published in 1862, Profes¬ 
sor Lesquereux expressed the opinion that the mineral 
oil of the borders of the coal field comes from the 
lowest great bed of the coal measures, I. B., page 285. 
The opinion of such an authority is to be carefully con¬ 
sidered.) The Oil Creek rocks dipping southward, pass 
500 or 600 feet below the coal measures. The nearest 
coal bed to the northern springs occurs on the highest 
hill tops, many miles away. The hills in the vicinity 
of some of the wells, are capped by the conglomerate 
base of the coal measures, at least 100 feet thick. The 
shales and sandstones of the valley belong to forma¬ 
tions X., IX., and VIII. descending, called by the New 
York geologists the Catskill, Chemung and Portage 
groups, extending over all the southern groups of 
western New York. The southern dip carries down 
these oil bearing rocks, and the wells must deepen in 
the same direction. Mr. Ridgeway reports (July 10, 
1862), the lowest oil-bearing sandrock, capping the 
hills near Waterford, on Le Boeuff Creek, and the same 
sandstones appear on Big French Creek, full of plant 
remains. 

The following wells show the dip in a well-marked 
manner: The Philips well on Oil Creek, is 480 feet 


THEORIES OF ITS ORIGIN. 


179 


deep; the Brawley well, at the mouth of Cherry Run, 
503 feet; the Cornwall well, 530 feet; the Avery well, 
over 700 feet; and at Titusville he estimates’the proper 
depth at 1,000 or 1,200 feet. 

In the Mahoning coal oil region in western Penn¬ 
sylvania and eastern Ohio, near the line, the three oil¬ 
hearing sandrock strata are beneath the lowest coal 
bed. The “ Continental ” boring at Edenburg in Law¬ 
rence County, penetrated in descending order, the fol¬ 
lowing formations before it struck the oil: First, the 
superficial drift, 80 feet thick. Second, sandstones and 
shales, 200 feet thick, the bottom layers of which con¬ 
sisted of fetid black shales, from which coal gas flew 
off with violence. Third, the first white sandstone, 50 
feet thick, arranged in three strata, a softer middle be¬ 
tween harder upper and lower formations, the whole 
of which was said to be thin, going east and holding 
abundance of gas in its crevices. Fourth, shales and 
slates, 45 feet thick, charged with oil and gas hi its 
crevices. Fifth, the second white sandstone, 75 feet 
thick—softer, coarser, and tougher, or more difficult to 
bore through than the first, and full of gas ; after pass¬ 
ing through which they struck the great oil stratum, 
448 feet from the surface. Crawford’s boring, not far 
off, went down 580 feet through another shaley forma¬ 
tion, and struck oil, supposed to come up through a 
crevice from the third white sandrock. 

That there is an intimate connection between the 
character of these sand formations and the character 
of the oil which issues from them is indubitable. The 
rule among the miners is, as stated by Mr. Clark in the 
“ Proceedings of American Philosophical Society,” 
(June 1862, p. 57), that the harder the rock may be to 
drill, the lighter in color, purer in quality, and the 
smaller in quantity, will be the oil obtained therefrom; 


180 


PETROLIA. 


and the softer the rock, the darker and more abundant 
the oil. 

The chemist of the Canada survey, Mr. Hunt, insists 
strenuously “ upon the distinction between lignitic and 
bituminous rocks, inasmuch as some have been dis¬ 
posed,” he says, “ to regard the former as the source 
of the bitumen found in nature, which they conceive to 
have originated from a slow distillation. The result 
of a careful examination of the question has, however, 
led us to the conclusion that the formation of the one 
excludes more or less completely that of the other, and 
that bitumen has been generated under conditions 
different from those which have transformed organic 
matters into coal and lignite; and probably, in deep 
water deposit, from which atmospheric oxygen was 
excluded.” 

Mr. Hunt instances in support of this view, that the 
highly inflammable pyroschists or black slates of the 
IJtica and Hamilton groups contain no soluble bitumen, 
and that the Trenton and Corniferous limestones at the 
base of the Silurian system are impregnated with Petro¬ 
leum, and gave rise to Petroleum springs, although no 
fossil land plant has been found in them. The fact 
that a considerable portion of the tissues of the lower 
marine animals is destitute of nitrogen, and very simi¬ 
lar in chemical composition to the woody fibre of 
plants, forms another link in the chain of reasoning on 
this distinction between bituminous and lignitic rocks. 
The black slates, and even the coal beds are, in fact, 
layers of mud, charged slightly or to excess with lig¬ 
nitic matter, peat, or humus, part of which has assumed 
the form of glace coal and part the form of mineral 
charcoal, but almost none of which is soluble in ben¬ 
zole or sulphuret of carbon; whereas these liquids 
easily dissolve out the ready-formed bitumen from the 


THEORIES OF ITS ORIGIN. 


181 


rocks which may contain them. But whenever a coal 
bed became a repository of dead fish, like the eight-foot 
coal at the mouth of the Yellow Creek, at the bend of 
the Ohio, or as in the case of the two-foot stratum of 
phosphatic iron-ore deposited between the two benches 
of the Deep River coal bed, at Egypt, in North Caro¬ 
lina—how different an aspect the mineral then wears, 
glossy with soluble bitumen ! 

Mr. Hunt argues with much force that the mere 
fact that intermediate strata, porous enough to absorb 
all the floating bitumen in their vicinity, are neverthe¬ 
less, destitute of any, is enough to prove that the 
accumulations of oil now furnishing the world with 
light never came from the sub-volcanic distillations of 
the beds of coal in their neighborhood, but that the 
mineral has been generated by the transformation of 
organic matter in the strata where it is. Mr. Wall 
has shown that the asphalt of Trinidad and Venezuela 
(belonging, however, to a much later—upper miocene 
or lower pliocene—tertiary age), occurs in limestones, 
sandstones, and shales, associated with beds of lignite 
or fossil wood, and is confined to particular strata which 
were originally shales containing vegetable remains 
which have undergone “ a special mineralization, pro¬ 
ducing a bituminous matter instead of coal or lignite, 
and not attributable to heat, nor of the nature of a dis¬ 
tillation, but due to chemical reaction at the ordinary 
temperature and under the normal conditions of 
climate.” He describes, also, wood partially converted 
into bitumen, when removed by solution, woody fibre 
remains. 

The theory of the genesis of coal oil is, however, 
far from being cleared up by such facts. It is true that 
the oil is not found in immediate contact w T ith coal 
beds made of land or fresh water plants, but on the 


182 


PETKOLIA. 


other hand, coal oil regions are geographically con¬ 
nected with coal bed regions, wdiether of devonian, 
carboniferous, oolitic, or tertiary age. Coal beds are 
said to underlie the Rangoon oil wells. Tertiary lig¬ 
nites abound in Trinidad, Venezuela, Lombardy, and 
middle Asia. The lower devonian horizon of the 
Canada black slate oil region yields coal beds in Penn¬ 
sylvania. The structural difficulties attending the solu¬ 
tion of the problem remain. 

Fissures are filled with oil, and gas, and salt water, 
and different wells strike them at different depths. 
The oil bearing sandrocks seem charged from top to 
bottom with gas and blow off from every fissure as it is 
passed through by the auger. Whence comes this gas, 
if not by subterranean distillation ? It is impossible to 
postulate the gas first, and oil afterwards; for that 
order would require the generation of pressure sufficient 
afterwards, and the oil would be in the condition of a 
mechanically explosive fluid. The gas must be a sub¬ 
sequent expansion of the oil, as it is in the case of coal 
mine fire damp. Whence, then, comes the oil, and 
why has it collected in reservoirs ? How are such 
reservoirs preserved, and what is their extent ? It is 
easy, after these questions have been answered, to 
describe the mechanical propulsion of the oil to the 
surface, partly by gravity and partly by the pressure of 
the gas it has itself generated, through natural fissures 
producing natural oil springs, or through artificial 
augur holes. The intermittent action of most of the 
flowing and spouting wells is like that of the Iceland 
geysers, where steam is the motive power. The oil 
men of the Mahoning valley say that more gas is blown 
off in winter than in summer. 

In the almost unchanged horizontal posture of the 
western coal measures no considerable fracturing took 


THEORIES OF ITS ORIGIN. 


183 


place. Faults of all kinds are uncommon and very 
small when they exist at all. The rise of stratification 
from the Allegheny River towards Lake Erie is a frac¬ 
tion of one degree. The original contents of the rocks 
have, therefore, been preserved. Not so with the an¬ 
thracite basins on the southeastern side of the coal area. 
Crushed and overturned, contorted and fractured in 
every part, this part of the earth’s crust has been dried 
and hardened, and exposed to chemical action from the 
superincumbent drainage waters, until its various form¬ 
ations (the coal beds included in the number), have 
been metamorphosed and partially re-crystallized. The 
oils which they contained have been lost by dissolu¬ 
tion and evaporation. The bituminous coals have be¬ 
come anthracites, and the last oil spring on the head 
waters of the Lehigh, the Schuylkill, the Juniata, the 
Potomac, or the New River, ceased to flow many mil¬ 
lions of years ago. In the West, on the contrary, in 
equally ancient, nay, in identically the same rocks, the 
Petroleum still remains, having had no outlet, always 
hermetically sealed and under pressure. It remained 
partly condensed in coal beds and black shales, partly 
distributed through the sandrocks and limestones, and 
partly filling up the joints which the shrinking of ages 
has produced. Possibly a small portion of it may be 
held in caverns through the more soluble limestone 
strata. Especially important are the water bearing 
horizon. 

The vertical cleavage planes and few downthrow 
fissures which exist play but a subordinate role to 
these. Rain waters percolate from every hill surface 
and downwards, leeching every permeable stratum that 
will give up its oily contents, the out-crops of every 
coal bed issue innumerable springs of painted water. 
At the base of every great sandrock, and on the top 


184 


PETROLIA. 


of the clayey deposits next below it, collect the mixed 
proceeds of the drainage in a standing sheet ol oily 
brine. Capillary attraction and hydrostatic pressure 
perpetually reinforce the reservoir. The weight ol 
rock on the top and the pressure of disengaged oil-gas 
sends its filaments forward and upward by every secret 
crack to the surface again, holding it in every part 
ready for an explosive rush into the air when an arti¬ 
ficial outlet is provided. If there be no fissure in the 
locality, the oil wells descend to the sheet of water at 
about the same depth. Where fissures intercept them 
they are of various depths and fortune, for a Avell may 
pass a fissure where its walls are polished and tight to¬ 
gether. A well may also pass the w^ater sheet where 
some change in the porosity of the rocks above and be¬ 
low has taken place to oppose a like obstruction. In 
some parts of the western coal fields, the dip is as high 
as five degrees, and the basins from five to ten miles 
wide. Sharp flexures make local dips of thirty degrees 
or more, and a central subanticlinal is sure to sub¬ 
divide the basin. In the secondary basins thus 
formed, the wells are more perfectly artesian as to the 
salt water; but it is upon the subdividing anticlinals 
that the gas and oil collect. In such regions it is 
asserted that all the flowing and many of the spouting 
Avells are ranged along the summits of such anticlinals. 
In the case of some of the old gas-blowing salt wells, 
their actions demonstrate that they have been bored 
past one gas bearing stratum to another deeper salt 
water stratum, for when the water is allowed to rise in 
the auger hole, by stopping the pumps awhile, then the 
gas and oil no longer come up, the brine stopping their 
issue. In the case of neighboring wells of different 
depths striking a slanting fissure, the one which strikes 
it highest up will deliver gas; another, striking it 


THEORIES OF ITS ORIGIN. 


185 


lower down, will deliver oil; a third, striking it still 
lower down, will deliver nothing but salt water. 

The compressibility of coal oil gas is one of its most 
dangerous qualities, increasing indefinitely the dangers 
of those explosions which annually cost so many valu¬ 
able lives. Confined in the walls of the gangways and 
rooms, it issues from innumerable cells or pockets, the 
larger of which are called “ blowers ; ” sometimes with 
the noise of heavy rain ; sometimes with small reports. 
It collects among the timbers of the roof, in the upper 
galleries of the mine, in deserted portions of the 
colliery, and especially in those accumulations of refuse 
coal and slate called “ gob,” or “ goaf,” with which the 
miners pillar up the superincumbent rocks. These 
acres of worked-out and filled-up galleries bcome vast 
reservoirs of fire damp. The gas collects especially 
over the anticlinal rolls. From these great powder 
magazines, solicited by the least diminution of baro¬ 
metric pressure in the atmosphere, the gas rushes out 
to fill the working rooms. Long experience has shown 
that a falling barometer and explosions in coal mines 
always go together. But the mischief is accumulative. 
The vacuum produced by the first explosion is a new 
vocation to the world of back gas to leave its hiding- 
places, come forward afresh, and produce another, and 
again another, until the proportion of air to gas be¬ 
comes too small to make an explosive mixture ; so that, 
like the stroke of lightning, the coal mine explosion is 
not a unit, but a series, cause and effect reciprocally 
acting to produce the last result. 

Among the most curious exhibitions of superior 
lightness of Petroleum to other minerals with which it 
is found, and of the nice train of reasoning dependent 
thereon, is the observation of Mr. Vanuxem that the 
film of black bitumen found in the cavities of the calci- 


186 


PETROLIA. 


ferous sandrock of New York, wicn crystals of bitter 
spar and quartz, occur on the upper side of the crystals, 
on the mother liquor of which they once floated as 
pellicles of oil; and, as the crystals hardened and grew, 
it moulded the oxydated oil to a sheet of bitumen, brit¬ 
tle, very pulverulent, of a shiny black, yielding little 
ash, and 11|- per cent, of principally water. The same 
mammillary surface, arguing original fluidity, character¬ 
izes the specimens obtained by the Canadian mineralogist 
from the Quebec group filling cavities in its limestones, 
sandstones, and even in the accompanying trap dykes; 
readily crumbling to a black powder, and, when highly 
heated giving otf an abundance of strong-smelling, in¬ 
flammable gas, condensing to a tarry oil, and leaving 
eighty per cent, of a black residue, which, when heated 
slowly, burns away, leaving only a trace of ash. The 
same kind of mineral found at the Acton copper mine 
is harder, less friable, and more like anthracite. The 
Petroleum’ which fills cavities in the Montmorency 
rocks is still unhardened. It flows in drops from a 
fossil coral of the Birdseye limestone there; and at 
Parkenham’s it fills the cast moulds of large orthoce- 
ratites in the Trenton limestone to such an extent that 
a pint has been poured out of one. It is, perhaps, from 
these lower Silurian fossil coralline limestones that the 
oil makes its way to the surface through the overlying 
Loraine shales to form the Guilderland oil spring near 
Albany, according to Beck, through the Utica slate on 
the Great Mountain island, and through the red Medina 
shales at Albion mills, near Hamilton, according to Mr. 
Murray. 

The next great limestone in the ascending series is 
the Niagara, and Eaton early made known the oozing 
of Petroleum from its fossil caste. Hall describes it in 
Monroe County as a granular crystalline dolomite, in- 


THEORIES OF ITS ORIGIN. 


187 


eluding small laminae of bitumen, which gave it a 
resinous lustre. Bitumen, sometimes flows like tar 
from the lime kiln. The corniferous limestone, next 
above the Niagara, has the cells of its fossil corals 
filled with Petroleum, the remains of the gelatinous 
coral animal which inhabited them. Mr. Murray drew 
attention to this fact in 1844, and cited the gravelly 
bay quarries in Wainfleet, western Canada, as exam¬ 
ples. 

The oil springs of Enniskillen, as well as the lake 
of solid bitumen in the same township, half an acre in 
extent and two feet thick, no doubt have their deep- 
seated sources not in the black shales of the region, 
but in the corniferous limestone underneath. These 
black shales belong to the base of the Portage and 
Chemung group. The wells sunk in them soon strike 
argillaceous shales and limstones of the Hamilton 
group, and go through them toward the corniferous 
limestone, specimens of which yielded to Hunt’s anal¬ 
ysis from 7.4 to 12.8 per cent, of bitumen, fusible and 
readily solible in benzole. 

In the blackish Marcellus shales, at the base of the 
Hamilton group, are found septaria or modular concre¬ 
tions containing Petroleum. The same phenomenon 
recurs at the top of the Hamilton sandstones (forma¬ 
tion viii.), are often bituminous to the smell, and con¬ 
tain Petroleum in cavities or hardened into solid seams. 
A calcareous sandrock in Chautauque County contains 
more than two per cent, of bituminous matter. These 
are the rocks around the famous oil springs of the 
Seneca Indians. It is only necessary to ascend the 
series of these devonian sandstones to their upper part 
among the rocks of the Catskill group, or just beneath 
them, to find oneself in the oil regions of northern 
Pennsylvania and Ohio, described by Dr. Newberry 
and others. 


188 


PETROLIA. 


There only remains to be noticed that anomalous 
deposit of the Albert coal in New Brunswick, made 
famous by long litigation and the discussion of geolo¬ 
gists, described by Professor Dawson in his Acadian 
Geology, and called, by Dr. Wetherill, of Philadelphia, 
Melanasphalt. 

Its position has been misinterpreted by several ob¬ 
servers, who have reported it a volcanic injection of 
bitumen into a fissure of the earth, many feet in width, 
by the force of which large pieces of the wall rock have 
been torn off and carried forward in the mass. It 
seems, however, pretty well made out, that it was 
originally a horizontal bed or lake of Petroleum, hard¬ 
ened and covered up by sand and clay deposits of car¬ 
boniferous age and afterwards upturned, bent over and 
fractured so as to assume its present posture. It is not 
properly a coal bed, therefore, but a mass of hardened 
coal oil,which can be, and, in fact, has been, mined like 
a coal bed, and the product used wholly for making 
gas. 


Jt 

CHAPTER XIII. 

SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE 

PETROLEUM REGION. 

The characteristics as shown by those engaged in 
the Petroleum business of this region, has afforded a 
fruitful theme to scribblers and journalists in years 
past. From our own observations, extending from the 
first general commencement of the development to the 
present date, we find that in but few features do the rep¬ 
resentative class of the people of the Oil Region differ 
from those of the human race generally, or at least the 
enlightened portion of it. The business itself is one 
that requires, for its successful prosecution, the exercise 
of all the energy and skill of average mankind. The 
progress of the development, as we have shown, de¬ 
notes a degree of industry as commendable as it is un¬ 
paralleled. The persistent energy which in scarcely 
ten years, has wrested from the rocks several hundred 
feet below the earth’s surface, a mineral product, 
that, besides proving an inestimable blessing to the 
human race, has added nearly $100,000,000 per annum 
to the wealth of our great country, giving employ¬ 
ment to thousands of men, requiring railroads and 
fleets of ships for its transit, and many millions of 
dollars to transact its already vast business; converted 
a comparative wilderness into a teeming hive of un¬ 
ceasing industry, built towns, and cities, bridged rivers, 
and finally, homes, surrounded by all that good taste 
could require, needs no panegyric in these pages. It is 


190 


PETEOLTA. 


apparent everywhere, and its influence is felt in all the 
great commercial centres of the world. It stands forth 
in bold relief, as one of the most remarkable achieve¬ 
ments of industry of the century we live in. 

The labor required to produce such wonderful re¬ 
sults, has been unceasing, requiring skill and capital in 
no stinted measure. We are content, therefore, to sum 
up briefly the ruling characteristics of our people as 
those of industry, skill, perseverance, and the exercise 
of the best business and mechanical knowledge that 
our country, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, could 
supply, or money obtain. 

In point of general morality, the average, so far as 
our observation has extended, is rather above that of 
surrounding communities, and will compare favorably 
with that of any other locality in the land. The com¬ 
mercial system is perfect, and the business men of no 
place have a higher regard for their commercial honor, 
and the failures to meet these have been so few as to 
form exceptions only. The cash system prevails in all 
branches of business throughout the Oil Region ; cash 
upon delivery being the universal motto. 

Those engaged in the business here, strange as it 
may appear, retain to a certain extent, the habits and 
tastes acquired in the places they came from, or during 
their previous years. These are exercised so far as the 
ability or inclination of the possessor will allow. Men 
of temperate, steady business habits, find here ample 
scope for the profitable employment of such qualities. 
Intemperance receives no encouragement, and a reform 
or departure from the locality is necessitated from the 
fact that to procure even the necessaries of life, con¬ 
stant industry is insuperable. Sobriety is indispensable 
for the successful prosecution of any branch of the busi¬ 
ness. Every hamlet, village, and town has its churches, 


SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PEOPLE. 191 

in which the congregations of the different denomina¬ 
tions worship. Well-organized Sunday-schools abound 
in each community, and the arrangements for the edu¬ 
cation of youth are ample. The different congrega¬ 
tions are represented by a membership drawn from all 
classes of society. The preachers or pastors of the 
different congregations, so far as we know, are liberally 
sustained, and the church buildings paid for. The 
eleventh commandment, “ Attend to your own busi¬ 
ness,” is observed generally, all branches of the trade, 
requiring about all the time that can be spared from 
the needed hours of rest, for its transaction. 

Strict integrity, respect for the laws, industry, due 
observance of the proprieties of life, enterprising, hope¬ 
ful, ready to commence again with renewed energy 
after any business disaster that may befall them, possess¬ 
ing an abiding faith that all will be right again in a 
short time, severe as the conflict may prove, are the 
chief characteristics of the leading class. With such 
men all human achievement is possible, and no diffi¬ 
culty too great to overcome. They have already 
achieved much, and the beginning of the development 
of the vast resources that surround them on all sides, 
has not been fairly inaugurated. There are no drones 
in the hive ; at least none who have a local habitation. 

Recreation is had at appropriate seasons, and the 
capacity for healthful enjoyment fully satisfied. The 
Sabbath is strictly observed, save by the pumping 
wells. The owners of these claim that, financially 
speaking, their working is a necessity, on account of 
losing a day in the week when the well is allowed to 
remain idle on the Sabbath. The practice is fast being 
discontinued, and those who observe the Divine com¬ 
mandment in this particular seem to prosper fully as 
well as their more industrious neighbors. The large 


192 


PETKOLIA. 


majority of those engaged in business have removed 
their families from their previous places of residence to 
the Oil Region, and the beneficial results are every¬ 
where apparent. In all the principal towns, society is 
refined, and even elegant. Courses of lectures are de¬ 
livered in all the principal towns during the season, 
debating societies organized, and in Oil City there is 
a public library, possessing a well-selected assortment 
of books. Sociability is a prevailing trait. In brief, 
we have here in the Oil Region an Utopia, almost, if 
one is disposed to seek only for that which is good. 
Doubtless the missionary mind, yearning to benefit the 
human race, even at the expense of martyrdom, might 
find much to reform. Vice and immorality no doubt 
prevail, as is common everywhere; it does not, how¬ 
ever, parade itself in such public view, but has to be 
sought for. To the modern “moral statistician,” we 
shall leave this latter branch of the subject, confident 
of our inability, owing to lack of familiarity and inclin¬ 
ation, to do the subject the justice it merits. 

It would be strange, indeed, if among so many who 
have had fortune thus lavishly thrust upon them, there 
should not be some inclined to foolish ostentation and 
display. Even these have been few, as the social struc¬ 
ture is such, that displays of the kind attract but little 
or no attention from the busy multitude. Besides, it 
is highly necessary to treat your poorer neighbors with 
respect at least, for they are liable at any time to 
“ strike oil,” and soar as high in the social scale as 
yourself. That is, so far as money will entitle them; 
and surely its power is potent. 

Liberality toward all deserving objects has ever 
been the characteristic of our people. During the war, 
the township of Cornplanter, in which the borough of 
Oil City is embraced, contributed over $100,000 to the 


SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PEOPLE. 193 

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Sanitary Fairs, and three 
companies of soldiers were furnished from the same 
locality. Appeals for religious objects, and for charity, 
have ever been met liberally. When disaster has be¬ 
fallen one community, the others have always promptly 
tendered material aid, and this feeling is extended to 
individual cases where the party is worthy. 

But few of the original owners of the oil farms re¬ 
main. These, for the most part, were descendants of 
the first settlers. Content to wrest a bare subsistence 
from the rugged soil, they were greatly astonished at 
the discovery of the immense treasures that had so long 
remained dormant beneath their feet. While a number 
sought to retain the paternal acres, fraught with en¬ 
dearing remembrances, the offer of large sums proved 
too great a temptation. The money was paid, the 
owner taking possession, and with many misgivings, 
they sought new locations, bought farms, and are 
continuing life in the same channel they began it. 

The foregoing is, in brief, the general and social 
characteristics of the representative people of the Penn¬ 
sylvania Oil Region, as we have found them. Having 
no desire to be partial, we are willing to admit that 
many are to be found in each of our localities who 
would fall below the standard. We speak understand- 
ingly of the class we have moved and mingled among. 
The unworthy class of community we have no desire to 
write of, conteut that their own sins should find them 
out, and due punishment be awarded by others than 
ourself. 


9 


CHAPTER XIV. 


THE OIL FARMS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA PETROLEUM 
REGION-TOPOGRAPHICAL AND STATISTICAL. 

A brief description of the location, and develop¬ 
ment had upon each farm embraced in the present 
area of the oil producing portion of Venango and the 
adjoining counties, together with such information re¬ 
garding them, both of a general and local character, as 
could be obtained, is considered by us as the most im¬ 
portant portion of this work. Such, indeed, was the 
main object for which it was first designed. 

The magnitude of the task will be apparent to the 
reader. The plan is as comprehensive as we could 
make it, and though not as full in some localities as we 
could wish, is sufficiently so for all general reference. 

By the subsequent pages, the amount and nature of 
the development upon each farm where any develop¬ 
ment has been inaugurated, from the time of the strik¬ 
ing of Drake’s well, in August, 1859, to the date of 
January 1 , 1869, is fully shown. The descriptions that 
follow contain many items of information and phenom¬ 
ena that could not w T ell be noticed in any other connec¬ 
tion, without rendering the same fragmentary. 

It has been impossible to obtain full information 
regarding all the farms noticed by us ; so many of the 
same belonging to oil companies having been deserted 
at an early date by their owners, or changed hands in 
later years to satisfy hungry claimants. On a large 
number of others no active operations have prevailed 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 


195 


for several years, leaving no sign to show that any de¬ 
velopment had ever been prosecuted. The oil-bearing 
localities are annually shifting, embracing each season 
lands hitherto deemed worthless for oil production. 
Hence the importance of preserving a record of the 
previous operations in all the different localities, as a 
guide for the operator, as well as to show the vast labor 
and money expended in the Petroleum development. 
As a matter of history, too, we regard the record we 
have made as invaluable. 

In this connection we deem it necessary to state, 
that until within the last three years, no inconsiderable 
degree of efficiency has been attained in the mode of 
drilling and managing oil wells. Like all others, it was 
a business that had to be learned, as no other branch of 
mining afforded any accurate light to guide the oil 
operator. Money and skill without stint has been 
freely given to attain even the present standard of ex¬ 
cellence. New improvements are being constantly 
introduced, and the culmination of perfection is yet far 
distant. 

The numerous failures to meet with success in 
earlier years, is greatly attributable to the want of 
skill on the part of the operators. A comparison of 
their mode of management with that of the present 
day, clearly establishes this fact, and if any further 
proof is required, it can be found in the subsequent de¬ 
velopment of good paying wells in the same localities. 
The general average of producing wells, at the 
height of the development of 1865 and 1866, at a lib¬ 
eral estimate, was scarcely twenty per cent. At the 
present date we estimate the failures, in the general 
aggregate, at less than ten per cent. By this rate 


196 


PETROLIA. 


of progress, the operators, it will be seen, have been 
diligent. 

The average extent of the leases granted to oil 
operators, has been from a half to an acre each. Halt 
an acre furnishes ample room for the derrick, engine 
house, tank, &c. Acre leases are generally given out 
at present. Many practical operators prefer to take 
leases of several acres, and are thus better protected 
from interference from other and adjoining wells, it 
being generally conceded that wells drilled in close 
proximity soon interfere with each other. Allowing 
half an acre to each well that has been drilled, the 
reader can form an accurate idea of the limited amount 
or proportion of the Petroleum Region that has been 
really developed, and the proportion that is still sus¬ 
ceptible of the same, from a perusal of the description 
of the farms that follow. When the act is taken into 
consideration that many of the wells, after becoming to 
all appearance exhausted, have produced abundantly 
after being abandoned for years, and the finding of 
green oil in a sandrock below where the black was ob¬ 
tained, and the not improbable theory that sand rocks 
equally as abundant in Petroleum, will eventually be 
found below the present oil-bearing strata, gives a 
reasonable promise of an inexhaustible supply for as 
long a period as it may be needed. 

The depth at which the different sandrocks have 
been obtained in each separate locality, their thickness, 
depth of the wells, general and local features of each 
farm described, is a matter of the highest importance, 
not only to the operator, but to the general and scien¬ 
tific reader as well. 

• With the above explanation we shall proceed to 
the consideration of the subject indicated : 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 197 

Ilaliday Farm .—Is located at the confluence of 
Oil Creek with the Allegheny River, lying on the west 
side of the Creek and north side of the river, in Corn- 
planter township. A large portion of the farm is hilly, 
sparsely covered with timber, and difficult of access. 
It is bounded on the east by Oil Creek, south by Main 
street, Oil City (the same running parallel with the 
Allegheny River), west and north by tract formerly 
owned by J. Kevins. Haliday Run, a small stream 
jiasses through the back portion, and along the north¬ 
ern side of the front, running mainly in a due south 
course, and empties into the Allegheny River, a short 
distance below the mouth of Oil Creek. The river at 
this point (Oil City), runs nearly due west. The road 
from Oil City to Dempseytown passes up Haliday Run 
and through this farm in a northerly direction. Ori¬ 
ginal owner, F. Ilaliday. Present owners, F. Haliday 
and Midas Petroleum Company, of Pittsburgh and 
New York; National Oil Company of Venango Coun¬ 
ty ; Girard Oil Company, Philadelphia Oil Company, 
Empire Oil Company, and others. Farm contains 500 
acres. 

The Midas Company have twenty-one acres next to 
Oil Creek and Main street, Oil City, embracing a por¬ 
tion of the borough; about 200 rods on the Creek and 
30 rods on Main street. The Linden well, on Main 
street, is on this property. Commenced to produce, by 
flowing, in 1861, about 30 barrels per day; is 560 
feet in depth; flowed three and a half years, and is 
still being pumped. Amount of oil from this well 
75,000 barrels. The other wells are all on the Creek 
side and on the Run. One well on Run belongs to the 
Oil Creek Petroleum Company. Those on the Creek, 
eight in number, belong to the companies named. In 


198 


PETROLIA. 


1865 and 1866 there were on this property eight sta 
tionary and portable engines, with ordinary machinery. 
Depth of first sandrock, 127 feet; second, 325 feet; 
third, 480 feet. Thickness of sandrock: first sand, 21 
feet; second, 25 feet; third, 30 feet.. No active de¬ 
velopments at present time. Several adjoining farms 
have been recently purchased with a view to active 
operations. Cost of wells average, $4,000. 

JVevins Farm .—Located on north side of Allegheny 
River and west side of Haliday Run, Cornplanter town¬ 
ship. Bounded on the north by Foster and others, on 
the east by Haliday, south by river and Moran, and 
west by Moran and Piaget, and contains about 500 
acres. Formerly owned by J. Nevins, and afterwards 
by Plumer and Drum, of Franklin. Sold by them to 
the Michigan Rock Oil Company, in 1860. Present 
owners, T. B. Porteous, P. H. Tiernan, Geo. Cornwall, 
H. M‘Clintock, A. D. Barbour, Win. M. Abrams, R. 
Chisholm. A portion of the purchase of the Michigan 
Rock Oil Company forms the greater part of the west¬ 
ern portion of the borough of Oil City. The present 
owners erected a number of buildings on their prop¬ 
erty, and also made the Oil City Driving Park; driv¬ 
ing track one mile in length, on the top of the hill, 
with a road, ascending by easy grades, leading to the 
same; the park being enclosed by a substantial fence. 
In the flush days of 1865 a race meeting was had, and 
the meetings for such purposes have since been con¬ 
tinued. The wells are on Haliday Run, six producing 
and four non-producing, all pumping. Average pro¬ 
duction in 1865 and 1866, 35 to 40 barrels per day. 
Depth of the wells, 518 to 689 feet. Average cost, 
$5,000. Wells all on flat and hillside, and owned by 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 


199 


lessees. Six portable and stationary engines on the prop¬ 
erty. Depth of first sandrock, 123 feet— 20 feet thick ; 
second sand, 380 feet— 25 feet thick ; third sand, 495 feet 
—30 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 12 feet. Hills 
high and abrupt, fronting on river and Haliday Run ; on 
Charley Run on west side. Level on top of hill. Two 
refineries, Bagg, Tillson & Co., capacity, 300 barrels 
crude per week; Duncan, Dunlap & Co., capacity same. 

Both refineries have since been discontinued, and 
the production of the wells on side next to Haliday 
Run is nominal at present. During present year three 
good wells have been obtained on the portion of this 
property lying on Charley Run, two of which claimed 
a production at the commencement of 100 barrels per 
day each. Present daily production of the three wells 
from 100 to 125 barrels per day. These wells flowed 
at their commencement, with a large amount of gas. 
The Blakely well, the first struck, being the heaviest. 
The gas from this well came forth for w T eeks with a roar 
like a small volcano, and saturated the adjacent territory 
with oily spray. A number of leases have been made 
by the owners of the land, and the wells are being 
drilled rapidly. It has been decided that a greater por¬ 
tion of this farm is in the celebrated “ oil belt.” At 
the present rate of improvement on the development, 
this territory promises to be as productive as any in the 
Oil Region, while its shipping facilities are unequalled. 
An oil-pipe has already been laid from these wells to 
the lower part of Oil City. 

Bastian Farm .—On Allegheny River, south side, op¬ 
posite mouth of Oil Creek, in Cranberry township, con¬ 
tains eighty-two acres of land. Lies on a gentle slope, 
back from the river, with a northern descent toward 


200 


PETROLIA. 


river. Is beautifully located for building purposes. 
A portion of Venango City is built upon this farm. 
Formerly owned by Henry Bastian. Purchased by 
Win. L. Lay, in 1862. Present owner, Laytonia Town 
& Oil Company. Purchased by them in 1864. 
Bounded on north by river, east by Downing, south 
by Downing, and west by Lee. Ho streams passing 
through. River fronting north runs due west. Alle¬ 
gheny Valley Railroad runs along river front. Laytonia 
and Salina Turnpike runs through property in south¬ 
erly course. Three producing and three non-producing 
wells on property. Amount of product very small. 
Wells on river bank and flat. Owned by company. 
Three portable engines. Depth of first sandrock, 230 
feet— 30 feet thick ; second sand, 365 feet— 35 feet 
thick; third sand, 485 feet— 30 feet thick. Depth of 
driving-pipe, 50 feet. 

Scarcely a vestige of these wells remain at the 
present date. Mr. Geo. V. Forman has commenced to 
drill two wells on the bluff, at the southern side of the 
town. The river bridge fronts on this property, and 
the Cranberry Coal Company’s Railroad passes through 
it. 

Lee Farm .—On Allegheny River, south side, op¬ 
posite Oil City, lying on a gentle slope back from the 
river, like Bastian farm, with a northern slope toward 
river. A portion of Venango City is on this farm, and 
Allegheny Valley Railroad passes along the river front. 
Contains 180 acres. Original owner, Jas. H. Lee. 
Present owners, heirs of Lee, Win. Reed, and others. 
Mr. Reed purchased a portion of the farm in 1864. 
Bounded on the north by river, east by Bastian, west 
and south by Moran. Ho stream passing through 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 201 

River fronting it on the north, and runs west. State 
road runs south from this property. Three producing 
and eight non-producing wells, and one in progress of 
drilling. Producing wells average three barrels each. 
Average depth of wells, 550 feet. Commenced pro¬ 
ducing in 1863 and 1865. Wells all on river bank and 
flat above, and belong to C. Haines, Wm. Reed, J. 
Dickey, J. Riddle & Miller, and others, lessees. Five 
portable and stationary engines on the property. 
Depth of first sandrock, 230 feet— 30 feet thick; sec¬ 
ond sand, 365 feet— 35 feet thick; third sand, 485 feet 
—30 feet thick. 

The majority, if not all the wells spoken of above, 
are producing little or nothing now, and no active de¬ 
velopment is in progress. 

Moran Farm .—Located on both sides of Allegheny 
River, containing 360 acres on the north side and 160 
on the south side. North side lies mostly on high 
hills, with a narrow bench along the river, and a nar¬ 
row flat on Charley Run, which passes through the 
northern portion, running south into the river. The 
Atlantic and Great Western Railway and Oil City and 
Franklin Turnpike pass along this narrow table. The 
south side of river land lies on an easy slope back from 
river, similar to Lee and Bastian farms, affording a fine 
scope of territory for the extension of Venango City. 
Bounded on the north by Nevins tract, east by Nevins 
and Lee, south by Farran and others, west by Farran, 
river, and Piaget. River passes through property, run¬ 
ning west and southwest. Railroad and turnpike tak¬ 
ing same course. Allegheny Valley Railroad runs 
through property on south side following river bank. 

9* 


202 


PETROLIA. 


The property was bought from Win. Bastian by Mr. 
Angier, from whom Mr. Moran purchased some twelve 
years since. Present owners, Moran heirs, and Orange 
Oil Company, who purchased fifty acres on south side 
of river, adjoining Lee farm, in 1865. On north side 
of river are two producing wells, and five non-produc¬ 
ing. Average daily product, ten barrels per day. 
The producing wells are owned by J. K. Morange, one 
of which produced for four years. Both these wells 
on river bank. Those on Charley Run have not as yet 
proved paying wells. One at the mouth of the Run, 
belonging to J. B. Stockton & Co., has produced some 
oil, but is doing nothing at present. The wells are 
from 550 to 570 feet deep. Amount of production not 
ascertained. Two engines on this part of the property, 
with ordinary machinery. Depth to first sandrock, 202 
feet—29 feet thick; second sand, 352 feet—25 feet 
thick; third sand, 469 feet—40 feet thick. Depth of 
driving-pipe, 7 feet. Sandrocks deeper as ascending 
Charley Run. On south side of river, Cranberry town¬ 
ship, are two producing wells, one non-producing, and 
one in progress. Average daily production, 12 barrels. 
Average depth of wells on this side, 520 feet. Aver¬ 
age cost of wells, $4,000. Commenced producing in 
the Spring of 1864. Amount of production not ascer¬ 
tained. Wells are on river bank and flat above. Three 
engines, stationary and portable, on the property. 
Depth of first sandrock, 225 feet—35 feet thick ; second 
sand, 360 feet—30 feet thick; third sand, 475 feet—30 
feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 50 feet. On this 
tract is some good tillable land. Moran’s Eddy is in 
the river at this point. 

But little or nothing doing on this farm at present 
time. The recent developments on the upper portion 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 203 

of Charley Run may .possibly appreciate its value ma¬ 
terially. 

Piaget Farm. —On north and west side of Alle¬ 
gheny River, Cornplanter township, contains 147 acres. 
Bounded on north by R. M‘Fate, east by Moran, south 
by River, west by Howe and Hickman. Original 
owner, L. H. Piaget. Present owner, Oil City Petro¬ 
leum Company. Purchased in 1864, for the sum of 
$105,000. Six and a half miles from Franklin, and one 
half mile west of Oil City. Allegheny River runs 
southwest here, and fronts the farm. The Atlantic 
and Great Western Railroad and Franklin and Oil City 
Turnpike pass through the property along the river 
bank. Hills high and unproductive, covered with tim¬ 
ber and rocks. Hickory Island lies in the river in front 
of this property. Five producing and three non-pro¬ 
ducing wells, and one in progress. The five producing 
wells average four barrels each, an average total of 
twenty barrels per day. Have produced over 500 bar¬ 
rels. Average depth of wells, 500 feet. Average cost, 
$6,000. Commenced producing in the Spring of 1865. 
Are on river bank. Owned by New York & Newark 
Petroleum Company and J. W. Fielder & Co. Six 
portable engines and ordinary machinery on the prop¬ 
erty. Depth of first sandrock, 215 feet—25 feet thick; 
second sand, 350 feet—50 feet thick; third sand, 475 
f ee t—25 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 20 feet. 
The Cornplanter, the leading hotel of early times, 
favorably known to our pioneers for its good cheer, 
is on this property, and was the home of Mr. Piaget. 

Nothing doing now in the shape of development, 
and the production merely nominal. 

Farr an Farm. —On southeast side of Allegheny 
River, in Cranberry township. Contains 175 acres. 


204 


PETROLIA. 


Bounded on the north by Moran, east by Moran, Hayes, 
and others, south by Hayes, and west by river. Orb 
ginal owner, J. Farran. Present owners, Buchanan 
Farm Oil Company and Passaic Oil Company of New¬ 
ark, New Jersey. Passaic Oil Company have fifty acres, 
and Buchanan Farm Oil Company the balance. Is 
one mile southwest from Venango City, on the road 
leading along the bank of river, which fronts it on the 
west. Seven producing wells, five on Passaic and two 
on Buchanan, and nine in progress—five on Buchanan 
and four on Passaic. None flowing. The seven wells 
are producing by pumping from fifteen to thirty-five 
barrels each. Daily product, 120 barrels. Have pro¬ 
duced 2,000 barrels. Commenced producing July and 
September, 1856. Average depth of wells, 525 feet. 
Average cost, $4,000 ; all on the flat or table lands, 
owned by the companies and lessees. Fifteen engines, 
portable and stationary, on the property. Depth of 
first sandrock, 225 feet—30 feet thick; second sand, 
360 feet—35 feet thick; third sand, 475 feet—30 feet 
thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 45 feet. Lies on a 
gently elevated table land, sloping back from river. 
All the wells tested so far have been paying ones. 
Well located for operating upon. 

Active operations ceased some time since upon this 
farm. But few of the old wells are producing, and but 
few new ones have been drilled. It is looked upon as 
good territory. 

Hickory Island .—Is in Allegheny River, below 
Moran’s Eddy, and opposite Farran farm. Contains 
seven acres. Boundary, river. Original owner, J. 
Farran. Present owner, Hickory Island Oil Company. 
They purchased it in 1864. The flood of March, 1865, 
washed away portions of the island, so that the original 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 205 

seven acres are not at present visible. The works of 
the company were also washed away, requiring replac¬ 
ing with new. The island is reached by skiffs from 
any direction, and by teams in times of low water. 
One producing and three non-producing'wells on the 
island. The producing well flows three barrels per 
day ; is an old well. Amount of production not ascer¬ 
tained. Average depth of wells, 545 feet. Average 
cost of wells, $6,000. Owned by company, Willings 
& Powell, and Cherry Run & Pithole Petroleum Com¬ 
pany. Have two engines on property. Depth of first 
sandrock, 240 feet—30 feet thick; second sand, 360 
feet—30 feet thick ; third sand, 515 feet—15 feet thick. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 40 feet. 

All operations have now ceased. But a small por¬ 
tion of the orginal dimensions of island left. 

Hayes Farm .—On east side of Allegheny River, in 
Cranberry township, opposite Reno. Bounded on 
north by Farran, east , south by Huff, and west 

by river. Original owners, J. P. & Allen Hayes. 
Present owners, J. P. Hayes, Buchanan Oil Company, 
heirs of Allen Hayes, and Artesian Oil Company. Two 
miles west and south from Oil City, with a road along 
the river bank leading to it, and roads to State road. 
Six producing wells and seven non-producing wells 
on the property. Of producing wells one is flowing 
and five pumping. Average daily production, 60 bar¬ 
rels. Whole amount of production not ascertained. 
Average depth of wells, 525 feet. Average cost, $5,000. 
Commenced producing in 1861, and on to 1865. Wells 
all on flat and table land. Owned by Thompson & 
Turner, Adams, Taylor, Patch, and others. Six en¬ 
gines, portable and stationary, with ordinary machinery 
on the property. Depth of first sandrock, 240 feet—25 


206 


PETROLIA. 


feet thick ; second sand, 360 feet—25 feet thick ; third 
sand, 485 feet—25 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 30 
feet. This farm lies on a flat, gently elevating as it re¬ 
cedes from the river, with a ravine making down through 
it. Apparently good oil territory. Very little doing 
at the present date, and production merely nominal. 

Wilson , Shaffer & Ormsby Farms .—On west and 
north side of river, in Sugar Creek township. The 
river here changes its course from west of south to due 
west and north of west. These tracts embrace 1,206 
acres. Original owners, Jas. Wilson, J. Shaffer, and 

-Ormsby. Present owners, Reno Oil and Land 

Company. Purchased in the Fall of 1865. Bounded 
on the north by Hickman, Rossman, and M‘Fate, east 
by Piaget and river, south by river, and west by Bran¬ 
non. Three miles west of Oil City and four miles east 
from Franklin. Shaffer Run passes through the prop¬ 
erty on the western side, in a southwest course. At¬ 
lantic and Great Western Railroad and Franklin and 
Oil City Turnpike pass through on the river side. Reno 
and Pithole Railroad branches off at this point, passing 
through the property, following on Shaffer Run, as it 
winds its way over the hills and valleys of Cornplanter 
Run, Oil Creek, Cherry Run, on to Pithole. This prop¬ 
erty has a large river front, slopes back gradually from 
the river, with a southern ascent, and is the location of 
the once famous town of Reno. Ten producing wells on 
the property, most of them small. Average daily pro¬ 
duction, 50 barrels. Average depth of wells, 600 feet. 
Average cost, $6,000. Rone flowing, all pumping. 
Amount of production not ascertained. Commenced 
producing in 1861 and on to 1865. Wells all on flat. 
Ten engines, portable and stationary, on the property. 
Wells owned by company in fee, working interests by 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 207 

lessees—Say & Co., Gardner & Co., Pacific Oil Com¬ 
pany, and others. Depth of first sandrock, 230 feet—20 
feet thick; second sand, 400 feet—25 feet thick ; third 
sand, 550 feet—10 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 
12 feet. Two refineries on the property—one Ivinkaid 
& Lockwood’s, capacity 350 barrels crude per week; 
the other about same. Howe’s Eddy, in river, is at 
this point. A small island also in river. The company 
contemplate sinking fifty new wells the coming season, 
(1866), some of which -are already under contract. 

The collapse of the Reno scheme in 1866 caused 
active operations to cease, and the same have not yet 
been resumed. Mr. Culver still resides on the property, 
and has, we learn, obtained control of, and intends to 
develop it. The railroad is now torn up. Production at 
present slight. Reno is but a small village, with post- 
office, stores, and one refinery, and a hotel. The At¬ 
lantic and Great Western Railroad have a good brick 
depot here. 

Huff Farm. —On south side of Allegheny River, in 
Cranberry township, opposite Reno. Contains 140 
acres. Original owner, J. A. S. Huff. Present owners, 
F. Prentice and Manross Oil Company. Leased to 
Ballard & Filley. Bounded on the north by river and 
Hayes, on east by , on south by Huff & Milton, 
west by Milton & Plowman. Four and a half miles 
from Franklin, two and a half miles from Oil City. 
Huff’s Run passes through the property, running north. 
River bends from southwest to west. Roads leads 
along river to Venango City in an eastern direction. 
Six producing wells on the property, one flowing, and 
five pumping, five more in progress. Average daily 
production ten barrels. Have produced over 1,000 
barrels. Average depth of wells, 550 feet. Average 


208 


PETROLIA. 


cost, $5,000. Some of the wells are old ones. Com¬ 
menced producing in 1860, 1861, and 1865. All on the 
flat. Owned by Susquehanna Oil Company and others, 
lessees. Ten engines, portable and stationary, on the 
property. Depth of first sandrock, 233 feet—32 feet 
thick; second sand, 370 feet—32 feet thick; third 
sand, 495 feet—30 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 
19 feet. Here the flat on this side of the river ends 
against an abrupt hill, which comes to the edge of the 
water. On Magee farm, up Huff Run, are two wells, 
both non-producing. This looks like good oil land, but 
needs energetic development. 

The production of the farm at present date is merely 
nominal, and no active development is in progress. 
The Allegheny Valley Railroad passes through the farm. 


Plowman Farm .—On south side of Allegheny. 
Contains acres. Original owner, J. Plowman. 

Present owner, Middletown Lubricating Oil Company. 
Time of purchase not ascertained. Bounded on the 
north and east by river, south by Cox, Hensely, Milton, 
Hay, and others, west by river and Neely. Here river 
bears northwest and then southwest. No road along 
river. Hills high and coming down abrupt to river 
edge, covered with timber. Three non-producing 
wells on the property, and two engines. Depth of 
wells, sandroeks, &c., not ascertained. No one on the 
ground to make inquiries of. Nothing doing. A nar¬ 
row ravine comes down through, making to the river. 

Neely Farm .—On south side of Allegheny River, 
in Cranberry township. Contains acres. Original 
owner, P. Neely. Present owners, Pennsylvania Pe¬ 
troleum Company, and Great Northern Oil Company. 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 209 

Purchased in 1864. Great Northern Oil Company have 
fifty acres. Bounded on the north by Plowman and 
river, east by Plowman, south by Hay and others, west 
by river. Two miles from Franklin, and five miles 
from Venango City and Oil City. The Allegheny 
River fronts it on the northwest; river running south¬ 
west. Seneca Run comes down from the hills through 
the farm in a northwest course into river. Three wells 
have been sunk on the farm, all non-producing. No 
one on the ground. Depth of wells, sandrocks, &c., 
not ascertained. Lies on high hills, difficult of access. 
Is opposite Shirk & Fuller farms. 

Milton Farm .—On south side of Allegheny River, 
Cornplanter township. Contains acres. Original 
owner, J. Milton. Present owner, Highgate Petroleum 
Company. Is triangular in shape. Bounded on north 
and west by river, east and south by Bowser. One 
mile from Franklin and six from Venango City. No 
road along river. Course of river south of west. Two 
wells, both non-producing. No one on farm to get 
items of. Lies opposite Hiland’s farm. 

Bowser Farm .—Located on south side of Allegheny 
River, Cornplanter township. Contains acres. 

Original owner, P. Bowser. Present owner not ascer¬ 
tained. Bounded on the north by river, Neely, and 
Milton, east by Hensely, south by Milton, west by Mil- 
ton and river. One mile from the Franklin bridge. 
River bears south of west. No streams passing through. 
A small flat or table land on river, but little good terri¬ 
tory for operating on. Have been four wells sunk, all 
non-productive. Operators evidently became dis¬ 
couraged, as no one was on the property to obtain in¬ 
formation from. 


210 


PETKOLIA. 


Hoge Island .—Is in the Allegheny River, between 
Hilands, Plumer, and others on north side, and Neely, 
Bowser, and others on south side of river, extending 
down nearly to mouth of French Creek. Contains 
forty-five acres. Original owner, Thos. Hoge. Pres¬ 
ent owner, Hoge Island Lubricating Oil Company. It 
is six miles from Oil City, and adjoins the borough of 
Franklin. Course of river, south. Communication by 
skiffs and boats, and by teams in low water. The 
property is valued by the company at $200,000. It 
may possibly be worth this amount when they get 
enough producing wells. Have two producing and 
two non-producing wells, and are producing eight bar¬ 
rels of lubricating oil per day. Aggregate amount 
produced not ascertained. Average depth of wells, 
350 feet. Average cost, $3,000. Commenced produc¬ 
ing in 1862 and 1865. The island is but slightly above 
the level of the river, and iu times of high water is 
sometimes under the surface of same. Wells owned 
by company. Have two engines, portable and station¬ 
ary. Depth of first sandrock, 240 feet—32 feet thick; 
second sand, 620 feet—40 feet thick; third sand not 
found. Depth of driving-pipe, 37 feet. The flood of 
March, 1865, did much damage to the company’s prop¬ 
erty by sweeping over the island. 

Martin c& Epley Tract .—Located on the north side 
of the Allegheny River and French Creek, in Sugar 
Creek township. Contains twenty-two acres, divided 
up and sold out in small lots to various parties. It is 
known as out-tract Na 8, in the borough of Franklin. 
Original owners, Martin & Epley. Present owners, 
Lycoming & Clinton Counties Oil Company, Fay, 
Great Northern Lubricating Oil Company, Hues, and 
others. Is in the borough of Franklin, and seven miles 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 211 

from Oil City. Atlantic and Great Western Railroad 
and Franklin and Oil City Turnpike pass through on 
river bank and table lands. There are eight producing 
and eight non-producing wells on the property. Aver¬ 
age daily yield, twenty-three barrels of lubricating oil. 
The producing wells average from three to five barrels 
each. All pumping. Average depth of wells, 500 
feet; one 542 feet. Average cost, $5,000 to $7;>000. 
Commenced producing in 1861, 1862, and 1865. Wells 
all on flat, and owned by companies and parties as 
above described. Have nine engines on the property, 
with ordinary machinery. The Great Northern Com¬ 
pany run three wells with the same engine that drives 
their lubricating oil works. Depth of first sandrock, 
280 feet—40 feet thick ; second sand, 510 feet—30 feet 
thick ; third sand not found. Depth of driving-pipe, 40 
feet. The Great Northern Lubricating Oil Works are lo¬ 
cated here, on the former site of Mr. Thos. Hoge’s resi¬ 
dence, and have a capacity of 200 barrels per day of lu¬ 
bricating oil, known as the Hendrix Lubricator. These 
tracts are in the borough of Franklin, and the bound¬ 
aries will be by other tracts in the same. French 
Creek at this point runs southeast, and forms a conflu¬ 
ence with the Allegheny River. A substantial dam is 
built across French Creek at this point which supplies 
the Venango Flour Mills with necessary motive power. 

Chambers Farm .—Located on south and east side 
of Allegheny River, Cranberry township, opposite 
Franklin. Suspension Bridge crossing at this point. 
Hills high and abrupt. This tract contains acres. 
Bounded on the north by Bowser and river, east by J. 
Chambers, south by Fuller and west by river. River 
bears east of south. Franklin and Clarion Turnpike 
passes along river bank east of south from suspension 


212 


PETROLIA. 


bridge across the river. No profitable developments on 
the farm. But little territory for operating on, except 
on top of the high bluff. 

Borough of Franklin. —(See Towns of Oil Re¬ 
gion.) Here and at various points along French Creek, 
Oil Creek, and the Allegheny River are the remains of 
large pits, generally of a square or oval shape, made by 
a people who inhabited North America at a period so 
remote that tradition fails to shed any light upon them. 
It was in one of these localities that the first well was 
sunk in Venango County, by Colonel Drake, under the 
direction of a company of gentlemen of New Haven, 
Connecticut. 

There are about fifty derricks standing in the bor¬ 
ough limits. Many are old ones, simply monuments 
of the past, indicating where the explorer has searched 
for and in many instances obtained oil. Others show 
where oil is now produced in quantities varying from 
one to four barrels per day. A number of new ones 
mark the location of new wells in progress. The wells 
vary in depth from 120 to 700 feet. Oil is found in 
most of the wells between the first, or bedrock, and 
the first sandrock. Oil is found principally in the first 
sandrock, which varies in depth, in different localities, 
from 265 to 465 feet. The second sandrock is found 
on the Brown tract, in Nicholson Run Oil Company’s 
well, at a depth of 715 feet from the surface. This is 
near the river, at the lower part of borough. In the 
Oleo Oil Company’s well, back near the hill, it is found 
at a depth of 502 feet, showing a heavy slope in the 
rock toward the river. Depth of driving-pipe on the 
river, 30 feet; on French Creek, 35 feet. Thickness of 
first sandrock on the river averages 20 feet; on French 
Creek, 30 feet, the Mattawan well, on Creek, just 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 213 

drilled, taken as a guide. Most of the wells in pro¬ 
gress are old ones, being reamed out and drilled deeper. 
Some old wells are still producing, as they have been 
for several years. Among those familiar in the past, 
are the Mammoth well, producing at present time four 
barrels of lubricating oil per day, selling at $25 per 
barrel. It has produced since 1860. The Broomstick 
well is another which has produced largely, but is idle 
at present. 

Among the most noted is the Evans’ well, the first 
one drilled in the borough of Franklin, and the second 
in the Oil Region. This well is only 120 feet deep. 
Flowed at first seventy-five barrels per day, but soon 
run down to forty barrels per day, continuing to yield 
at that rate for a considerable length of time. Is not 
in operation steadily at the present time. Produces 
four barrels per day of lubricating oil, when pumped. 
Mr. Evans still owns the well in fee, has leased to N. 
B. Mosely & Co., of Philadelphia. The well com¬ 
menced producing in the winter of 1859 and 1860. 
There are three refineries within the borough limits, 
one belonging to S. F. Dale, known as the Dale Oil 
Works, having at present a capacity of refining 300 
barrels of crude oil per week. They have three acres 
of land, are located near the Atlantic and Great Wes¬ 
tern Railroad depot, on French Creek. One on the 
Blakely farm, Allegheny River, in lower part of bor¬ 
ough, has a capacity of 160 barrels crude per week. 
The other is an old refinery on the opposite side of the 
river, is not in operation. Belongs to Norfolk Oil 
Company. Capacity, 160 barrels crude per week. The 
works of the Great Northern Lubricating Oil Com¬ 
pany, are in the borough limits, and have been pre¬ 
viously noticed. 

But few, if any, of these wells are operated at present. 


214 


PETROLIA. 


Booth Farm .—On east side of Allegheny River, in 
Cranberry township, being a portion of the Fuller farm 
and adjoining the Chambers tract. Contains sixty 

acres. Original owner,- Fuller. Present owners, 

—— Simonds, - Jacobs, J. Wilkes Booth’s (of in 

famous notoriety) heirs. Purchased in 1864. Bounded 
on the north by Chambers, east by Bissell, south by 
Fuller, west by river. Is half a mile south of Franklin 
bridge, Allegheny River fronting it on the west. No 
streams passing through. Franklin and Clarion turn¬ 
pike passes through on the bluff,running north to bridge, 
There are one producing and two non-producing wells. 
The producing well gives a daily yield, by pumping, of 
twelve barrels per day. Average depth of wells, 500 
feet; one 800 feet in depth. Average cost of wells, 
$3,500. Commenced producing in 1864. Wells located 
on river side in the bluff. Owned by parties above-men¬ 
tioned. Have two portable engines. Depth of first 
sandrock, 330 feet—20 feet thick ; second sand, 440 feet 
—20 feet thick. No third sandrock found. Depth of 
driving-pipe, 40 feet. 

Nothing doing in this locality at present time. 

Fuller Farm .—Located on the east side of the Alle¬ 
gheny River, Cranberry township, containing 

acres. Original owner,-Fuller. Present owner, 

Fuller Farm Oil Company. Purchased in 1865. 
Bounded on the north by Booth, east by Bissell, south 
and west by river. Is one and a half miles from 
Franklin. Allegheny here has a southeast course. 
Franklin and Clarion Turnpike passes through it. No 
producing wells at present. Seven non-producing, two 
of which produced two barrels per day formerly. 
Average depth of wells, 550 feet. Average cost, 
$3,500. Wells all on the flat. Owned by Fuller Farm 





LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 215 

Oil Company, Radnor Oil Company, and Boston Oil 
Company. Have three engines, portable and station¬ 
ary. Depth of first sandrock, 60 feet—4 feet thick; 
second sand, 470 feet—9 feet thick. Depth of driving- 
pipe, 25 feet. This property is well located for oil 
operations and easy of access. 

Blakely Farm .—Located on west side of Allegheny 
River in Sandy Creek township, containing 230 acres. 

Original owner,-Blakeley. Present owners, N. B. 

Mosely & Co., of Philadelphia, and Murphy & Irvine. 
Purchased in 1864. Boundaries not ascertained in full. 
One half mile below, and adjoining the borough of 
Franklin. Two small streams pass through and empty 
into the river. A broad flat; good territory for oil op¬ 
erations, both on river and streams. Has the appear¬ 
ance of good property. Hills much broken. No pro¬ 
ducing wells. Eight non-producing wells. One pump¬ 
ing with a blower but doing little good. Two of the 
wells have formerly pumped some oil. One was drilled 
by water-power, the machinery of which is still stand¬ 
ing Wells all on flats. Owned by companies and in¬ 
dividuals. One portable engine, water-power, and 
ordinary machinery on the property. Depth of first 
sandrock, 75 feet—8 feet thick; second sand, 205 feet 
—25 feet thick ; third sand not found. Depth of driv- 
ing-pipe, 39 feet. One refinery, as mentioned in the 
description of Franklin. 

Hastings Farm .—On west side of Allegheny River, 
in Sandy Creek township. Contains acres. Boun¬ 
daries not ascertained in full. Original owner, - 

Hastings. Present owner, Pacific Oil Company, of 
New York. Purchased in 1864. One and a half miles 
below Franklin. Allegheny River running east of 




216 


PETROLIA. 


south, is the only stream. The road to Franklin run¬ 
ning north of west. Two producing wells, and one in 
progress. Pumping hut very little. Are not paying 
wells. Average depth of wells, 500 to 600 feet. Cost, 
$4,000. Wells on the flat and hillside. Owned by 
company. Three portable engines. Depth of first 
sandrock, 320 feet—25 feet thick; second sand, 442 feet 
—20 feet thick; third sand, 600 feet. Depth of driv- 
ing-pipe, 28 feet. What oil there is, is found in the 
second sandrock. 

JBissell & Stewart Farms .—East side of Allegheny 
River and on Lower Two Mile Run, Cranberry town¬ 
ship. Contains 181 acres. Original owners, Geo. II. 
Bissell & Vance Stewart. Present owner, Cameron 
Petroleum Company, of Philadelphia. Purchased in 
the Spring of 1865. Bounded on the north by Cham¬ 
bers, east by Brandon, south by river, and west by 
Fuller Farm Oil Company. Two miles from Franklin. 
Lower Two Mile Run passes through the property in a 
westerly direction. Franklin and Clarion Turnpike 
passes through it, running northwest to Franklin. No 
producing wells. Two non-producing, and ten in pro¬ 
gress. Average depth of wells, 500 feet. Average 
cost, $4,000. All on the flat and on the Run. Owned 
by the lessees. Ten engines, portable and stationary, 
on the property. Depth of first sandrock, 300 feet—40 
feet thick; second sand, 445 feet—25 feet thick. No 
third sand found. Depth of driving-pipe, 30 feet on 
the flat, and 5 to 10 feet on the Run. Has the appear¬ 
ance of good oil territory. There is an old grist mill 
near the mouth of the Run. The.Franklin and Clarion 
Turnpike strikes the river bank at this point. 

Irvine Farm .—Located on east side of Allegheny 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 217 

River, in Cranberry township. Contains five acres, the 
company having 101 acres on the river below. Ori¬ 
ginal owner,-- Irvine. Present owner, Pennsylvania 

Oil and Coal Company, of Baltimore. Purchased in 
in Fall of 1864. Full boundaries not ascertained. 
Three miles from Franklin. Allegheny River the only 
stream. Bearing of same southeast. Road to Frank¬ 
lin running northw r est. One producing and two non¬ 
producing wells, one of which pumping ten barrels per 
day. Average depth of wells, 480 feet. Average cost, 
$3,000. Commenced producing October, 1865. Wells 
are on the hillside. Owned by the company. Two 
stationary engines are on the property. Depth of first 
sandrock, 300 feet—40 feet thick; second sand, 435 
feet—15 feet thick; no third sandrock found. Depth 
of driving-pipe, 25 feet. The company have coal on 
their land on the river below. 

Cochran Farm .—On Allegheny River, east side, in 
Cranberry township. Contains 100 acres. Original 

owner,- Cochran. Present owner same. Leased 

to various parties and companies. Bounded on north 
by Brandon, east by Hoover, south by river, west by 
river and Bissell. Two and a half miles from Franklin. 
Ho streams passing through. Road to Franklin 
crosses it in a northeast direction. This territory is 
well located for operating upon. There are fourteen 
producing and five non-producing wells. All pumping 
wells. Produce from three to thirty barrels each. 
Average daily production, ninety barrels per day. Ag¬ 
gregate amount of production not ascertained. Aver¬ 
age depth of wells, 450 feet. Average cost, $4,500. 
Commenced producing in 1861, 1862, and 1865. Wells 
all on flat and hillside. Owned by individuals and com¬ 
panies. Fourteen engines, portable and stationary, 
10 




218 


PETROLIA. 


with ordinary machinery, on the property. Depth of 
first sandrock, 285 feet—50 feet thick; second sand, 
440 feet—20 feet thick; third sand, 575 feet—5 feet 
thick. Depth of driving-pipe, by river, 45 feet; back 
of hill, 50 feet. Energy in operating seems to prevail 
here, and the reward of labor greater than at many 
other points. 

Hoover Farm .—On east side of Allegheny River, 

in Cranberry township. Original owner,-Hoover. 

Present owner, River Oil Company, of Philadelphia. 
Contains 100 acres. Boundaries not ascertained in full; 
fronting the river on southwest side. River bearing 
southeast. Franklin road passes through. No streams 
passing through, but a ravine makes a break through 
the farm. Is two miles from Franklin. Hills rise grad¬ 
ually back from river, presenting quite a large scope 
of territory for operations. Developments are rather 
limited. There is one producing and four non-produc¬ 
ing, and one well in progress. The producing well is 
pumping four barrels per day. Amount produced, 
seventy-five barrels. Average depth of wells, 500 feet, 
one 700 feet. Average cost, $3,500. Commenced pro¬ 
ducing September, 1865. Wells all on the flat and 
ravine. Owned by company. Have two portable en¬ 
gines. Depth of first sandrock, 330 feet—20 feet thick ; 
second sand, 440 feet—20 feet thick; third sand not 
found. Depth of driving-pipe, 40 feet on liver, and 20 
feet on ravine. 

Harmon Farm .—On west side of Allegheny River, 
in Sandy Creek township. Contains acres. Ori¬ 
ginal owner,-Harmon. Present owner, Hoover 

Oil Company, of Philadelphia, and Eureka Oil Com¬ 
pany. Purchased in 1864. Boundaries not fully 




LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 210 

ascertained. Is two and a half miles from Franklin. 
No streams passing through. River bearing southeast. 
No road on river side except a foot-path. There are 
six wells pumping, producing a little oil, not in very 
extensive quantities, and seven wells in progress. 
Average depth of wells, 460 to 600 feet. Average 
cost, $5,000. Commenced producing in 1865. Wells 
all in bluff on the river bank. Owned by individual 
companies. Have thirteen portable engines and ordi¬ 
nary machinery. Sandrocks, or drillers, vary as to 
depth materially, ranging all the way from 72 to 275 
feet deep for first sandrock—45 feet thick; second 
sand, 306 to 425 feet—18 feet thick. No third sand- 
rock found. Depth of driving-pipe, 24 feet. Those 
interested here displayed a wonderful amount of energy 
in prospecting for oil, but the wells have returned a 
poor reward for the capital and labor invested. Hills 
high, coming down abrupt to the river, compelling op¬ 
erators to dig into the hills to set their engines and 
commence operations. 

Martin Farm .—On west side of Allegheny River, 
in Sandy Creek township. Containing 160 acres. Ori¬ 
ginal owner, Amos Martin. Present owners, Tulpe- 
hocken Oil Company, of Philadelphia; Honeycomb 
Oil, Suffolk & Venango Oil Company. Is three miles 
from Franklin. Hills high and abrupt, with but nar¬ 
row table land to operate upon. Wells logated in bluff* 
and on river bank. Owned by companies and lessees. 
There are six producing and four non-producing wells 
on the farm. The producing wells are producing from 
seven to thirty barrels each daily. Average daily pro¬ 
duction, forty-four barrels; 4,000 barrels shipped in 
1863 and 1864. Recent shipments not ascertained. 
Average depth of wells, 450 feet. Average cost of 


220 


PETROLIA. 


same, $4,000. Commenced producing in 1863 and 
1865. Have six engines, stationary and portable, with 
ordinary machinery. Depth of first sandrock, 180 feet 
—40 feet thick ; second sand, 420 feet—40 feet thick ; 
third sand supposed to be 640 feet deep, not known. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 33 feet. On the Honeycomb 
tract the rock comes to the surface, requiring no driv¬ 
ing of pipe. 

N'icJdin Farm .—On Allegheny River, east side, 
in Cranberry township. Contains acres. Ori¬ 

ginal owners, Roberts & Boyd. Present owners, 
Mammoth Oil Company. Purchased in 1859. Bound¬ 
aries not ascertained. Is three and a half miles from 
Franklin. River bearing in a southeast course at this 
point. A rough road leading along the river bank to 
Franklin,' in a northwest direction. There are six 
wells, producing from one to seven barrels each daily, 
making a total of fifteen barrels, all pumping. Aver¬ 
age depth of wells, 500 feet. Average cost, $4,000. 
Commenced producing in 1861 and 1864. All on hill¬ 
side, and owned by the company. Have six stationary 
engines. Depth of first sandrock, 300 feet—35 feet 
thick ; second sand, 450 feet—35 feet thick ; third sand¬ 
rock not found. Depth of driving-pipe, 32 feet. The 
company have a steam saw-mill in connection with 
their works, affording means for working up the timber 
on the property, thereby increasing the revenue to the 
company. 

Fice Farm. —On the east side of Allegheny River, 
in Cranberry township. Contains 130 acres. Original 
owner, G. Rice. Present owners, Green Hill Oil Com¬ 
pany and Allegheny Coal Oil Company. Boundaries 
not ascertained. Four miles from Franklin, fronting on 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 221 

river, which bears at this point to the southeast. A 
rough and rocky road leads along the river bank. 
Have two producing and seven non-producing wells, 
none flowing. Two pumping two barrels each per 
day. Amount of production not ascertained. Aver¬ 
age depth of wells, 600 feet. Average cost, $5,000. 
Commenced producing in 1861. Are all on hillside, 
and are owned by the companies and lessees. Have 
three engines, stationary. Depth of first sandrock, 160 
feet—35 feet thick; second sand, 355 feet—25 feet 
thick; third sand not found. Depth of driving-pipe, 
45 feet. Narrow table along river, giving but little 
room for operations. Hills abrupt and high. There is 
a small island in the river, just opposite, called Porter 
Island, belonging to the Porter Oil Company, of Hun¬ 
tingdon County, on which there is one well, 365 feet 
deep, producing twenty barrels per day by pumping. 
Was struck in August, 1865. Sandrocks about same 
as those on main land. 

Hoover Farm. —Located on west side of Allegheny 
River, Sandy Creek township. Contains 272 acres. 
Original owner, Robert Brandon. Present owner, Jas. 
P. & C. M. Hoover, Geo. H. Bissell & Co., and Cam¬ 
eron Petroleum Company. Boundaries not fully ascer¬ 
tained. Four miles from Franklin, in a southeast direc¬ 
tion. There are fifteen producing and fifteen non-pro¬ 
ducing wells. River bears east of south, fronting farm 
on north and east. Average daily production, 150 bar¬ 
rels. The fifteen producing wells are all pumping, and 
yield from five to sixty barrels each. None flowing. 
The old Hoover well commenced producing in 1860, 
continued for about four years, then ceased. In clean¬ 
ing it out the tools became fast. After losing different 
sets of tools, trying to get the first out, the old well 


222 


PETKOLIA. 


was abandoned, and a new one drilled close beside it. 
The new one is now producing sixty barrels per day. 
Amount of oil farm has produced not ascertained. 
Average depth of wells, 460 feet. Average cost, 
$5,000. Commenced producing in 1860 and 1865. 
Wells all on flat and hillside. Owned by individuals 
and companies. Have fifteen portable and stationary 
engines. Depth of first sandrock, 300 feet—40 feet 
thick ; second sand, 440 feet—25 feet thick ; third sand 
not found. Depth of driving-pipe, 40 feet on lower 
part of farm. On upper end the bedrock came to the 
surface. There is a broad flat and bends back to hills, 
giving ample room for operations. Snake Island is in 
river opposite. Is owned by a Philadelphia company. 
Two wells on the island, one producing. Is 440 feet in 
depth. Amount of production not ascertained. Have 
one engine. Average cost of wells, $5,000. Sand- 
rocks, &c. same as on main land. 

Pope Farm .—On Allegheny River, west side, in 
Sandy Creek township. Contains ninety acres of land. 
Original owner, Widow Pope. Present owner, or 
lessee, Pope Farm Oil Company, of Philadelphia. 
Boundaries not fully ascertained. Fronts the river on 
east side. Five miles from Franklin in an east of south 
direction. Road leading to Franklin passes through it 
in northwest direction. Five producing and five non¬ 
producing wells on farm. None flowing. Five wells 
are pumping five to twenty-five barrels each. Daily 
aggregate production, fifty barrels. Average depth of 
wells, 400 feet. Average cost of wells, $5,000. Com¬ 
menced producing in 1864 and 1865. All on flat. 
Owned by company and individuals. Have five port¬ 
able engines, with ordinary machinery. Depth of first 
sandrock, 200 feet—20 feet thick; second sand, 400 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 223 

feet—15 feet thick; third sand not found. Depth of 
driving-pipe, 36 feet. From surface indications this 
ought to be as good oil producing territory as the farm 
above it. Siefer’s Run passes through in an eastern 
direction, emptying into the river. Hills broken and 
covered with timber. 

Smith Farm. —On Allegheny River, west side, in 
Sandy Creek township. Contains acres. Original 
owner, S. Smith. Present owner not ascertained. 
Bounded on the north by Pope and river, east by river, 
south by Miller, west by Foster & Brown. River 
here bears east by south. Brown’s Run passes through 
in an eastern direction. Also another small run, giving 
the hills a broken appearance. Have two engines. 
Nothing doing on property. No one to get items 
from. So far as developed, the territory has proved 
unproductive in paying quantities. 

Miller Farm. —On Allegheny River, west side, op¬ 
posite mouth of Sandy Creek, in Sandy Creek town¬ 
ship. Contains acres. Bounded on the north by 
Smith, east by river, south by river and Foster, west 
by river. Original owner, D. Smith. Present owner, 
Excelsior Oil Company. There are eight producing and 
seven non-producing wells. One flowing twenty bar¬ 
rels per day. Daily production of the eight wells, 
about fifty barrels. Have two engines. Depth of first 
sandrock, 150 feet—20 feet thick; second sand, 350 
feet—15 feet thick ; third sand, 600 feet—15 feet thick. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 40 feet. Average cost of wells, 
$5,000. Amount of production not ascertained. 

Tipper Two Mile Run. —On Two Mile Run, above 
the Hiland’s farm, in Sugar Creek township, the Phila- 


224 


PETROLIA. 


delphia Oil Company have some six wells, all non-pro¬ 
ducing. Some four miles from the river are located 
several oil companies, represented as follows: Great 
Western Oil Company, Forest Shade Oil Company, 
Scott Farm Oil Company, Kunkel Oil Company, New 
York & Philadelphia Oil Company. On the Great 
Western and Forest Shade Oil Companies tracts there 
are six wells. Some of them have been sunk to more 
than the ordinary depth; one nearly 1,000 feet. All 
of them unprofitable. Some of them have produced 
oil, but not in paying quantities. The sandrocks are 
irregular, varying in depth and thickness, not having 
the appearance of regular oil-bearing rock. 

M i Cormick Farm .—Located on French Creek, 
north and east side, Sugar Creek township. Contains 
421 acres. Original owners, W. C. & R. S. McCor¬ 
mick. Present owners, M‘Cormick heirs, Eclectic Oil 
Company, Beacon Oil Company, Pearson Petroleum 
Company, New York and Franklin Oil Company, P. 
F. Kelly, Cattaraugus and French Creek Petroleum 
Company. Purchased in 1864 and 1865. Bounded on 
the north by Blakely, east by Galloway, M’Calmont, 
and others, south by French Creek, west by French 
Creek and Dubbs. A portion of the territory lies in 
the limits of the borough of Franklin, and extends two 
miles up French Creek. The Creek has a bearing on 
upper part south, bends southeast, then northeast, and 
east at lower part of farm in borough limits. The 
Franklin branch of the Atlantic and Great Western 
Railway passes through on the line of the Creek. 
There are three producing and fourteen non-producing 
wells on the property. None flowing. Three pump¬ 
ing—two on Beacon Oil Company tract, three barrels 
each per day; one on the New York and Franklin Oil 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 225 

Company tract, two barrels per day. Amount of pro¬ 
duction not ascertained. Average depth of wells, 350 
feet. Some of the old wells have formerly produced ; 
one reported to have flowed 100 barrels per day. One 
of the wells on the Beacon Oil Company tract, 800 feet 
in depth. Cost of wells from $3,000 to $6,000. 
Commenced to produce in 1861, while owned by 
M’Cormick’s. Wells all on the flat land. Have six 
engines, portable and stationary, on the property. 
Depth of first sandrock, 265 feet—30 feet; second 
sandrock, 500 feet—28 feet thick; third sandrock not 
found. Driving-pipe, from 10 to 20 feet, according to 
locality. Less depth near Creek. Pearson Petroleum 
Company have 216 acres ; have eleven wells drilled and 
in progress. None paying wells; some oil in all of 
them. The Ashland Company have half an acre of land 
close beside the railroad track, near to or in the borough 
limits, with two wells, of but little account. One has 
produced some oil formerly, claimed to be not 
thoroughly tested. 

Dale Farm. —On south side of French Creek, join¬ 
ing Franklin borough. Contains 200 acres. Is in 
French Creek township, quarter of a mile from the 
junction of Creek with Allegheny River, extending 
half a mile on the Creek. Original owner, S. F. Dale. 
Present owner, Dale Farm Oil Company. Purchased 
in 1864. Capital stock of company, $1,000,000. Num¬ 
ber of shares, 200,000 ; par value, $5 per share. Bound¬ 
aries not ascertained. The Creek fronting it on the 
north, with a bearing due east. Road to Franklin 
leading along bluff. The Franklin and Jamestown 
Railroad runs through the property. The company 
have one producing well, pumping six barrels per day 
of lubricating oil of a very dark color. This is a new 
10* 


226 


PETROLIA. 


well. The old well has produced a considerable amount 
of oil. Average depth of wells, 466 feet. Cost, from 
$3,000 to $6,000. Both operated by one engine. One 
blower set to operate the old well, which commenced 
to produce in 1861 and 1865. Wells on bank of Creek 
under the hills. Owned by company. Have one en¬ 
gine, stationary, oscillating. Depth of first sandrock, 
21V feet—not regular, in shells ; second sand, 248 feet 
—12 feet thick; third sand not found. Driving-pipe, 
10 feet. A white sandrock, nine feet thick, was found 
at the depth of thirty-nine feet. Oil found at 248 feet. 
Company have opened a vein of coal in the hills. 
Found it two feet four inches thick. Supposed to be 
thicker at a greater depth. There is but little flat ter¬ 
ritory. A narrow bench along the bank of the Creek. 
Hills high, but not so abrupt as at some other points. 

Hayes Farm .—On south side and west side of 
French Creek township. Containing 2V2 acres. Ori¬ 
ginal owner, Samuel Hayes. Present owner, Ohio Car¬ 
bon Oil and Mining Company. Boundaries and time 
of purchase not ascertained. One mile from Franklin. 
A small ravine makes through the hills. In this ravine, 
tradition says, the French found lead ore. None has 
been found in later days. There are no producing 
wells. Four non-producing; one of them drilling. 
There has been no oil produced on the farm. Average 
depth of wells, 650 feet. Average cost, $5,000. Wells 
on the flat and hillside. Three owned by company and 
one by lessees. Have two portable engines. Depth 
of sandrocks not ascertained. 

Bowman Farm .—On west side of French Creek 
and mouth of Trout Run, in French Creek township. 
Contains 200 acres of land. Original owner, Mrs. 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 297 

Bowman. Present owner, Mammoth Oil Company. 
Boundaries not ascertained. Half a mile from Frank¬ 
lin. French Creek has a general bearing at the point 
south, Trout Run east. Road leading to Franklin, and 
Jamestown and Franklin Railroad crosses the farm on 
Creek side. There are two non-producing wells. No 
producing ones on farm. One has formerly produced 
some oil. Amount of production not ascertained. One 
of the wells 300 and the other 600 feet in depth* 
Average cost, $5,000. Both on flat, and owned by 
company. Two portable engines on the property. 
Depth of first sandrock, 80 feet—60 feet thick; second 
sand, 330 feet—14 feet thick; third sand not found. 
Here is a fine flat for operating, both on Run and 
Creek. Hills are broken and recede back on a more 
gentle elevation. 

Longwell Farm .—On west side of French Creek, in 
French Creek township. Containing 106 acres. Ori¬ 
ginal owner, R. C. Longwell. Present owner, Centralia 
Oil Company, of Philadelphia. Purchased in 1864. 
Boundaries not ascertained. One and three quarter 
miles from Franklin. French Creek fronting it on east, 
with a bearing south. Flat broad and well located for 
oil purposes, being convenient to operate upon. There 
is one producing well, pumping three barrels per day 
of lubricating oil. Has produced 125 barrels. There 
are three non-producing wells, and one in progress. 
One of the old, and now non-producing wells, has pro¬ 
duced 10,000 barrels of oil. Average depth of wells, 
250 feet. Average cost, $3,800. Commenced produc¬ 
ing in 1862 and 1863. Have shipped 10,000 barrels. 
Wells all on flat. Owned by Centralia Oil Company, 
and Excelsior Oil Company. Have three portable and 
stationary engines. Depth of first sandrock, 80 feet— 


228 


PETROLTA. 


70 feet thick; second sand, 330 feet—14 feet thick; 
third sandrock not found. Depth of driving-pipe, 42 
feet. Hills recede gradually from flat. 

Sutler/ Farm .—On southwest and south side of 
French Creek, in French Creek township. Contains 
100 acres of land. Original owner, J. W. Sutley. 
Present owners, Sutley Lubricating Oil Company, 
Eureka Oil Company, Longwell Petroleum Company, 
JVPCormick & M‘Kissick Oil Company. Purchased in 
1864. Boundaries not fully ascertained. Two miles 
from Franklin. French Creek fronts it on the north, 
bearing southeast and south. Road to Franklin and 
Jamestown and Franklin Railroad passing through the 
farm. There are four producing and fourteen non-pro¬ 
ducing wells on the farm, and two wells in progress. 
One flowing six barrels per day, and three producing 
three barrels per day—whole daily product, fifteen bar¬ 
rels. Amount of oil produced not ascertained exactly, 
but several thousand barrels. Average depth of wells, 
300 to 500 feet. Average cost, $3,000. Commenced 
producing in 1860, 1864, and 1865. Wells all on the 
flat. Owned by the companies. There are six port¬ 
able and stationary engines on the property. Depth 
of first sandrock, 250 feet—25 feet thick ; second sand, 
600 feet—25 feet thick; third sand not found. Depth 
of driving-pipe, 10 feet to bedrock near the Creek ; 60 
feet back near the hill. There has never been a failure 
on this farm (so reported). All the wells drilled have 
produced some oil. Here we find a large scope of ter¬ 
ritory on the flat. A number of the wells were drilled 
in the early days of oil development, and abandoned in 
the days of cheap oil. 

Dubbs Farm .—On north side of French Creek and 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 229 

on Patchel’s Run, in Sugar Creek township. Contains 
125 acres of land. Original owner, J. Dubbs. Pres¬ 
ent owners, French Creek Lubricating Oil Company. 
Purchased in 1864. Bounded on the north by Blakely 
& Clark, east by Blakely & M‘Cormick, south by 
French Creek, west by Newell. Two and a quarter 
miles from Franklin. French Creek at this point has 
a bearing south of east, Patchel’s Run south and south¬ 
west. Road to Franklin, and Atlantic and Great 
Western Railway pass through the farm. Patchel’s 
Run forming a junction here with French Creek 
affords ample room on flats of Creek and Run for ex¬ 
tensive operations, and so far as developed has proved 
to be oil producing territory. There are one produc¬ 
ing and five non-producing wells on the farm, and one 
in progress. The producing well is pumping five bar¬ 
rels of lubricating oil per day. Amount of production 
not fully ascertained, but over 7,000 barrels. Average 
depth of wells, 300 feet. One 650 feet. Average cost, 
$5,000 ; one $7,000. Commenced producing in 1860, 
and one since. Wells on flat and hillside. Ow r ned by 
company and lessees. There are four portable and sta¬ 
tionary engines on the farm. Depth of first sandrock, 
90 feet—20 feet thick; second sand, 240 feet—25 feet 
thick; third sand not found. Depth of driving-pipe, 
11 feet on the Creek, a greater depth back from the 
Creek toward the hills. On Patchel’s Run, one mile 
from river about 40 feet. 

On French Creek at this point and below, the bed¬ 
rock comes nearer to the surface on the borders of the 
Creek on both sides than those back toward the hills, 
are nearly or quite level, requiring the driving-pipe 
(which, as before described, has to be driven to the 
bed or surface rock, as it is called, and acts as a con¬ 
ductor for the drilling-tools, to ensure uniformity in the 


230 


PETROLIA. 


walls of the wells), to a depth of 10 feet next to the 
Creek, while hack from 10 to 15 rods on either side of 
the Creek, and on Patchel’s Run, requiring to be driv¬ 
en a depth of from 40 to 90 feet. Showing that the 
waters of French Creek are running upon a high ridge 
of rocks. Why this ridge should cling with such per¬ 
tinacity to the tortuous course of a stream, and for so 
great a distance exhibit such uniformity of depth, is a 
phenomena of which we cannot essay a practical 
reason. 

Newell Farm .—On north side of French Creek, in 
Sugar Creek township. Contains 160 acres. Original 
owner, H. Newell* Present owner, December Lubri¬ 
cating Oil Company. Purchased in 1864. Bounded 
on the north by Simmonds, east by Dubbs, south by 
French Creek, west by Brown. Two and a half miles 
from Franklin. French Creek bears east. A small 
stream comes from the hills, giving them a broken ap¬ 
pearance. Wagon-road to Franklin and Atlantic and 
Great Western Railway passing through. There is 
one well producing very little by pumping, and ten 
non-producing wells. No oil been shipped. Average 
depth of wells, 400 feet. Average cost, $6,000. Are 
all on the flat, and owned by lessees. Six portable and 
stationary engines on the property. Depth of first 
sandrock, 50 feet—15 feet thick; second sand, 290 feet, 
so claimed, but is not distinct. Depth of driving-pipe, 
30 feet. The number of non-producing wells, and 
small indications in the producing one, shows a poor 
return for the investment. Over $70,000 have been 
expended here without any return. This is like the 
name of the company —Gold December —cheerless com¬ 
fort to those who have invested their time and money 
to induce mother earth to favor them with a flow of 
the liquid illuminator. 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 231 

Brown Farm .—On north side of French Creek, 
French Creek township. Contains 220 acres of land. 
Original owner, W. Brown. Present owner, Venango 
Lubricating Oil Company, of New York. Purchased 
in October, 1864. Bounded on north by lands of Phil¬ 
adelphia Oil Company, east by Newell, south by 
French Creek, west by M‘Elrath. Two and three 
quarter miles from Franklin. French Creek here bear¬ 
ing east. Road to Franklin, and Atlantic and Great 
Western Railroad same. There are no producing wells 
on the farm at the present time. Three non-producing. 
One of them formerly produced thirty barrels per day. 
Amount of production not ascertained. Wells all on 
the flat, and owned by the company. Have two port¬ 
able engines on the ground. Depth of first sandrock, 
40 feet—20 feet thick; second sand, 290 feet claimed, 
not distinct. Depth of driving-pipe from 20 to 50 feet. 
The territory here is ample for a large number of wells, 
but the developments are not very promising. 

MFlrath Farm .—On northeast side of French 
Creek and east side of Sugar Creek, at its junction with 
French Creek, in Sugar Creek township. Contains 174 
acres. Purchased in Fall of 1864. Bounded on north 
by Overmire, east by Brown, south by French Creek, 
west by Brown and French Creek. Original" owner, 
D. M c Elrath. Present owner, M c Elrath. Leased to 
Sugar Valley Oil Company, of Philadelphia. Three 
and a quarter miles from Franklin. French Creek and 
Sugar Creek both border on the territory, the former 
having a bearing southeast, the latter south. Wagon- 
road to Franklin, and Atlantic and Great Western 
Railroad crossing it. Lick Run borders on the north¬ 
west corner of the tract. There is a broad flat on this 
territory, affording ample room for oil operations. Oil 


232 


PETEOLIA. 


found in small quantities, lubricating. There are two 
producing wells, pumping five barrels each daily, three 
non-producing, and two in progress. Amount of pro¬ 
duction not ascertained. Average depth of wells, 325 
feet. Average cost, $5,000. Commenced producing 
in August, 1865. Wells on the flat and hillside, hill¬ 
side wells the best. Owned by company and lessees. 
Are seven stationary and portable engines on the prop¬ 
erty. Depth of first sandrock, 40 feet—25 feet thick ; 
second sand, 285 feet—25 feet thick; third sand not 
found. Depth of driving-pipe, 9 feet. These wells are 
claimed not to be properly tested. 

Brown Farm .—On north side of French Creek and 
Sugar Creek. Containing 130 acres of land. Original 
owners, F. & W. Brown. Present owners, Junction Oil 
Company and Brown Farm Oil Company. Purchased 
in the Spring of 1864. Bounded on the north and east 
by Sugar Creek, west by Roberts, south by French 
Creek. Three and a half miles from Franklin. French 
Creek bearing east, Sugar Creek passing through in a 
southeast direction. Road, and Atlantic and Great 
Western Railroad to Franklin, passing through in an 
eastern direction. There are four producing wells on 
the farm, as follows : two on land of Junction Oil Com¬ 
pany are producing ten barrels daily; two on Brown 
Farm Oil Company land, producing daily twenty bar¬ 
rels. All the wells are pumping. There are five non¬ 
producing wells, all old ones, drilled three and four 
years since. They formerly produced some oil. 
Amount of production not ascertained fully. Reported, 
750 barrels. Average depth of wells, 350 feet. Cost, 
$4,000. Commenced producing in 1865. Wells all on 
the fiat. Owned by companies. Have four stationary 
and portable engines. Depth of first sandrock, 75 feet 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 233 

•—10 feet thick; second sand, 264 feet—30 feet thick; 
third not found. Depth of driving pipe, 10 to 38 feet. 

On the opposite or south side of French Creek, at 
this point, are three non-producing wells. No inform¬ 
ation could be ascertained relative to them. Judging 
from outward appearances, they are an unprofitable in¬ 
vestment. The Atlantic and Great Western Railway 
have a station on the land of the Junction Oil Com¬ 
pany. The Brown Farm Oil Company have good and 
substantial machinery for pumping. Have one large 
engine which operates two wells by means of long belts 
connecting with pulleys attached to machinery, which 
drives by a direct attachment, by the use of a cross 
head and slides, making a very complete and substan¬ 
tial apparatus for pumping. There is a hotel and a few 
other buildings, giving this point the appearance of life 
and activity. 

Roberts Farm. —On the north side of French Creek, 
reaching over and crossing Sugar Creek on the north, 
and containing 275 acres of land. Is in Sugar Creek 
township. Original owner, R. Roberts. Present 
owners, Indian Spring Oil Company, 93 acres; Phila¬ 
delphia and Providence Oil Company, 100 acres; and 
82 acres to individual companies. Bounded on the 
north by Shotwell, Homan & Brown, south by French 
Creek, west by Hayes and others. Purchased by the 
companies in December, 1864. Is four miles from 
Franklin. French Creek bears east and northeast; 
Sugar Creek southeast, passing through north part 
of the tract. Indian Spring Oil Company’s terri¬ 
tory is located on southeast portion of tract. The 
Philadelphia and Providence Company on the northeast 
corner, bordering on Sugar Creek. One producing 
well on the farm, producing five barrels per day; and 


234 


rtCTROLlA. 


seven non-producing, three of them not tested. Aver¬ 
age depth of wells, 400 feet. Average cost, $5,000. 
Commenced producing, August, 1865. Wells on sec¬ 
ond bench of land back from Creek on Sugar Creek, 
owned by the Companies. Have five engines, portable 
and stationary. Average depth of first sandrock, 120 
feet—12 feet thick ; second sand, 320 feet—45 feet 
thick. Ho third sand found. Depth of driving-pipe, 
from 12 to 96 feet. Less on French Creek than on 
Sugar Creek. 

Hayes Farm .—On the north side of French Creek. 
Containing 196 acres. Bounded on the north by White 
and Galvin, east by Roberts, south by French Creek 
and Lullman. Original owner, J. Hayes. Present 
owner, Hayes Farm Oil Company. Purchased in De¬ 
cember, 1864. Four and a half miles from Franklin. 
French Creek here has a bearing north of east. Road 
and railroad to Franklin having an eastern bearing. 
Are no producing wells on farm—one testing and one 
drilling. One 415 feet in depth, the other to be 
drilled to depth of 600 feet. Average cost, $5,000. 
Wells on flat and hillside, and owned by company. 
Have two stationary engines. Depth of first sandrock, 
120 feet—12 feet thick; second sand, 320 feet—45 feet 
thick; third sand not found. Depth of driving-pipe, 
12 to 90 feet. Lesser depth on the Creek. 

In passing up the Creek there are some develop¬ 
ments, but not very promising. On the Hannah farm, 
on south side of Creek, there are one or two small pro¬ 
ducing wells. There are also some ten or more aban¬ 
doned and in progress on this tract and above. Depth 
of wells and sandrocks not ascertained. Owned by the 
Hannah Goss Oil Company, and others. The develop¬ 
ments to any material extent, upon French Creek ter- 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 235 

minated here, at the time of our visit, and we ended 
our exploration of French Creek for the time. 

Blakely Clark Farm .—On Patchel Run, Sugar 
Creek township. Containing 313 acres. Original 
owners, Blakely & Clark. Present owner, Franklin 
Lubricating Oil Company. Purchased in July, 1864. 
Bounded on the north by Simmonds and others, east 
by Neely and others, south by M‘Cormick & Dubbs. 
One mile from French Creek, Patchel Run passing 
through it in a southern course. Turnpike to Franklin 
passing through in a southeast course. There are two 
producing wells on the farm, not pumping any material 
amount, and three non-producing. Amount of produc¬ 
tion, about 400 barrels. Average depth of wells, 325 
feet. Cost, $5,000. Commenced producing in 1864 
and 1865. Are all on the flat land, and owned by the 
company. Have three portable engines. Depth of 
first sandrock, 130 feet—20 feet thick; second sand, 
280 feet—25 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 40 
feet. 

Neely Farm .—On Patchel Run, in Sugar Creek 
township. Original owner, J. Neely. Present owner, 
Silver Farm Oil Company. Leased by Development 
Oil Company. Bounded on the north by Dow and 
others, east by Galloway, south by Galloway & Bleak- 
ley, west by Bleakley & Dow. Patchel Run passing 
through in a south of west direction There are three 
non-producing wells, one of them is 650 feet deep. 
Sandrocks about the same as on farm below. Depth 
of driving-pipe, 10 feet. 

Homan Farm .—On northeast side of Sugar Creek 
and Foster Run. Containing 363 acres. Original 


236 


PETROLIA. 


owner, S. Homan. Present owners, Sugar Creek Pe¬ 
troleum Company. Leased by Development Oil Com¬ 
pany in part. Is in Sugar Creek township. Purchased 
in 1864. Sugar Creek has a bearing southeast. Foster 
Run passes through in a due south course. Turnpike 
to Franklin crosses the tract northwest to Cooperstown. 
There are four non-producing wells, and one non-produc¬ 
ing (old well). Hone flowing. Average daily product, 
sixty barrels. These wells are known as the Shippen 
wells. Total amount of production not fully ascertained, 
but estimated at 4,500 barrels. Average depth of wells, 
325 feet; one 700 feet, not producing. Average cost, 
$6,000. Commenced producing in February and March, 
1865. Wells all on flat, and owned by company. 
Have four portable and stationary engines. Depth of 
first sandrock, 100 feet—20 feet thick; second sand, 
275 feet—60 feet thick; no third sandrock found. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 56 to 65 feet. These wells are 
known as the best on Sugar Creek. Here is a large 
scope of territory, broad flats, as yet unoccupied by oil 
operators. Hills broken and not so abrupt as below. 

Shotwell Farm .—On east side of Sugar Creek, in 
Sugar Creek township. Containing 160 acres. Ori¬ 
ginal and present owner, J. Shotwell. Report says 
this gentleman was offered $100,000 for his farm, but 
declined to sell. There are no developments. Sugar 
Dale Oil Company are located on the northern portion 
of this tract. West Sugar Creek forms a junction with 
the main Creek on the opposite side of the same, pass¬ 
ing through the Hawthorn farm. Apparently good 
territory. On the next tract above this is the location 
of the Hew York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore Con¬ 
solidated Petroleum and Mining Company, and the 
Hew York and Pennsylvania Oil Company. Ho de¬ 
velopments. 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 237 

Hussell Farm .—On both sides of Sugar Creek and 
Foster Run. Containing 112 acres of land, in Sugar 
Creek township. Original owner, J. M. Russell. 
Present owner, Russell Farm Oil Company. Bounded 
on the north by Homan and others, east by Alexander, 
south by Day and others, west by township line. Four 
miles from French Creek. Sugar Creek passes through 
in a southern direction, making a short bend to the 
west, thence south again. Foster Run passes through 
the western part in a southeast course. Road from 
Franklin to Cooperstown, running west of north. One 
small producing well on farm, and two non-producing 
wells. The producing well is pumping one barrel per 
day. Average depth of wells, 400 feet. Cost, $3,000. 
Have one engine. Depth of sandrocks, &c., not ascer¬ 
tained. No operators on the ground to get items from. 
There is ample room on this tract for future develop¬ 
ment. 

Homan Farm ,.—On both sides of Sugar Creek and 
Foster Run. Original owner, H. H. Homan. Present 
owners, Homan Oil Company, New York, Philadelphia 
& Baltimore Consolidated Petroleum and Mining Com¬ 
pany. No paying developments. 

M i Calmont Farm .—On both sides of Sugar Creek. 
Original owner, J. M‘Calmont. Present owner, Roch¬ 
ester Petroleum Company, in part. Bounded on the 
north by Frazier and others, east by Brown, south by 
Homan, west by township line. Sugar Creek bears 
west by south. Road to Cooperstown running north. 
There is one well, when operated producing five barrels 
per day by pumping, and one non-producing. Have 
two engines. No operators on the ground. No items 
or details ascertained. 

Frazier Farm—On Sugar Creek, in Sugar Creek 


238 


PETKOLIA. 


township, we find the Breen, Howes & Co., Maple 
Shade, and M‘Kenzie well, and in passsing up further 
the Osgood, the Kohler well, and the territory of the 
Maple Grove Lubricating Oil Company, of Baltimore. 
On the tract above is the Frothingham and Beech Tree 
well, Smith well, and Pennebaker well. None of these 
wells are at present being operated, and have never 
produced oil in paying quantities. No details could he 
obtained of this territory. No operators on the 
ground. 

Passing on above Cooperstown we find a well be¬ 
longing to the Rochester Petroleum Company; one of 
Olmstead, Chapman & Co. ; H. P. Adams & Co., For¬ 
est wells (two). Further up, Phil. Sheridan Oil Com¬ 
pany, six wells. Some of these wells have given signs 
of oil, and produced slightly, but not in very large 
quantities. The surface of the country and its general 
appearance would indicate fair producing territory but 
present developments do not bring forth favorable re¬ 
sults, to those who have invested their means. The 
future explorer may open up here a rich mine of wealth. 
Here end the developments on Sugar Creek. 

OIL CREEK VALLEY. 

Graffs -Hasson Farm. —On the north side of Alle¬ 
gheny River, at the mouth of Oil Creek, and on east 
side of latter. Is in Cornplanter township, embracing 
the mouth of Cornplanter Run. Contains 400 acres, in 
the United Petroleum Farms Association purchase, the 
portion now being described. Bounded on the north 
by Woods, & McAboy, and Clapp farms, west by 
Haliday Run and Oil Creek, east by Hasson Reserve, 
south by river. The Creek bears southwest and south. 
Cornplanter Run empties into the Creek from the west 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 239 

side, having a southeast bearing. Oil Creek empties 
into the Allegheny on the east side, bearing west. A 
portion of the 400 acres was subsequently sold to Hoff¬ 
man Petroleum Company. 

In May, 1862, there were two producing wells, with 
an average daily product of twenty barrels, and twenty- 
eight non-producing. To that date the farm had pro¬ 
duced 5,900 barrels of oil. Average depth of wells, 
400 feet. Cost, $3,000. In the beginning of 1866 
there were thirty producing wells on the farm, and 
fifteen non-producing, and none in progress. Of the 
producing wells eight were flowing and twenty pump¬ 
ing. Average depth of wells at that date, 400 feet. 
Cost, $4,000. Daily production, sixty-nine barrels. 
Wells commenced producing along from year to year, 
the greater number in 1865. Many are old wells, 
never drilled through the second sandrock. Those 
through third sand are better. Oil has been found 
principally in the second sandrock. Wells are located 
on the flat and table land, principally the former. 
Owned chiefly by lessees. Have twenty engines on the 
farm. Average depth of first sandrock, 200 feet—20 
feet thick ; second sand', 340 feet— 25 feet thick ; grey 
sand, 455 feet— 25 feet thick; at bottom of this, slate 
and mud, 8 to 10 feet; third sand or pebble-rock, 482 
feet— 6 feet of hard pebble and 4 feet hard, fine sand— 
10 feet in all. Depth of driving-pipe, 27 feet. At this 
time there were seven refineries on the farm, as fol¬ 
lows : J. Cornwall & Co., capacity, 200 barrels crude 
per week; Economy Oil Works, Hill & Thumm, 250 
barrels; Union & Albany Oil Works, two, one on each 
side of the Creek, M‘Cammon & Babcock, proprietors, 
capacity, one of 180 barrels, the other, 300 barrels per 
week; Anglo-Saxon Oil Works, Everson Bros., 360 
barrels per week; Romeo Oil Works, Babb, 100 bar- 


240 


PETROLIA. 


rels; Standard Oil Works, 50 barrels. In all, 1,380 
barrels per week. One other, Beebe & Combs, was in 
operation formerly, now abandoned. The wells on this 
farm are small, but noted for their longevity, some of 
them having produced for several years, and are still 
being successfully operated. The success has been uni¬ 
form. The oil is generally of 42° gravity. The ship¬ 
ping facilities are unequalled, being by pipe, river, and 
railroad. The Reno and Pith ole Railroad skirts the 
brow of a hill at a point on Cornplanter Run, some 200 
feet above the Creek Valley, making a heavy down 
grade in passing up the Creek. 

The lands of the United Petroleum Farms Associa¬ 
tion embrace the eastern portion of Oil City, including 
Cottage Hill, to the river, their line extending some 
distance beyond the borough limits. This comprises 
the chief portion of the city, including the railroad 
depot. The Atlantic and Great Western and Oil Creek 
and Allegheny River Railroads pass through the prop¬ 
erty, on the river front, and along the Creek Valley. 
Cottage Hill has an altitude above Creek level, of 275 
feet. Most of the principal dwellings are here located. 
The view is magnificent from the hill, embracing the 
river, Creek, and surrounding country. During 1868 
a number of new wells have been drilled on the flat, 
and two on the hill north of the Warren and Franklin 
Turnpike. Both of the hill wells are producing. Many 
of the old wells on the flat have been cleaned out, and 
are now yielding. The present number of producing 
wells at date of January 1, 1869, fifty-four. Daily pro¬ 
duction, 100 barrels. Forty non-producing wells. 
Thirty-two new leases have been given out on United 
Petroleum farms and on the Hoffman property. Total 
amount of oil sold by the United Petroleum Farms As¬ 
sociation, since date of November 1, 1864, 14,271 bar- 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 241 

rels. Amount received for same, $73,511.73. Depth 
of sandrocks on the hill differ, so far as developed, 
according to altitude. Are the same in all other gen¬ 
eral respects. There will be a large development on 
the lands of the Petroleum Farms Association during 
present season. Several of the wells have been pro¬ 
ducing for eight and nine years, the present production 
of same averaging from one to five barrels. The com¬ 
pany have sold a large portion of land for building pur¬ 
poses, but have still left a large amount of territory 
suitable for oil jmrposes, to which it is admirably 
adapted. 

Clapp Farm. —Bissell & Plummer Tract, located 
on both sides of Oil Creek, in Cornplanter township. 
Contains 125 acres of land. Original owner, R. Clapp. 
Present owners, Geo. H. Bissell and Arnold Plummer. 
Purchased in 1859. Bounded on the north by Corn- 
planter tract of same farm, east by Wingar, south by 
Hasson Reserve and Petroleum Farms Association, 
west by Petroleum Farms Association. Half a mile 
from Oil City, two miles from M‘Clintockville, and 
three miles from Rouseville. Oil Creek passes through 
the farm, bearing southwest. Glen Run conies across 
with a southeast bearing, emptying into the Creek. 
The road from Oil City to M‘Clintockville, and on up 
the Creek, passes through; also the Farmers’ Railroad, 
from Oil City to Petroleum Centre. The Creek flats 
are about thirty rods in width, lying mainly on the 
north side of the Creek. The Reno and Pithole Rail¬ 
road passes along the hillside, 150 feet above level of 
Creek. Hills high and abrupt on east side, allowing 
only room sufficient for one tier of wells along the 
Creek bank. This farm is among the first upon which 
extensive operations w T ere carried on, including the up- 
11 


242 


PETEOLIA. 


per portion, or Cornplanter tract, and has been among 
the most prominent producing ones. 

In May, 1862, there were four flowing wells, and 
ten pumping ones, with an average daily production 
of thirty-five barrels. There were then eighty non¬ 
producing wells. To that date the farm had produced 
by flowing, 7,474 barrels; by pumping, 17,826 barrels. 
From May, 1862, to date of 1865, the farm has 
produced upward of 92,000 barrels. There are now 
nineteen producing wells, all pumping from two to 
seventy-five barrels per day, and eighty-seven non-pro¬ 
ducing or idle wells. Daily production not regular. 
Average depth of wells, 530 feet. Average cost, 
$4,500. Commenced producing in 1861 and on to 
1865. Wells are mainly on flat; some few on the first 
table of bluff. Located on both sides of the Creek, 
as follows: On west side of Creek, seven producing 
and seventy non-producing. On east side, twelve pro¬ 
ducing and seventeen non-producing. Owned in part 
by lessees, as follows : Plummer, Gibson, Grove & Co., 
Buckeye Company, Wolverine, Parker, Bobson, Bliss 
& M‘Kinley, Gilbert & Co, Boston Rock Oil Company, 
Adams, Pitker & Pool, Thompson & Christie, Williams 
well, Stanton wells, &c. There are thirty engines on 
the property, portable and stationary. Depth of first 
sandrock, 190 feet—30 feet thick; second sand, 330 
feet—30 feet thick; third sand, 460 feet—25 feet thick. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 25 feet. There is one refinery 
on Glen Run, owned by Coope & Co., with a capacity 
of 200 barrels crude oil per week. The hills on west 
side are gradual in elevation, affording territory pro¬ 
portionally easy of access for operating upon. 

Many of the old wells have been abandoned. Rew 
ones have been drilled with varied success. Rot more 
than twenty of the non-producing wells were ever 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 243 

drilled to the required depth. All but about ten of 
them are now filled up with clay, sand, and cement, in 
the following maimer: First, clay and sand to third 
sandrock; then cement in third sandrock; sand and 
clay to second sandrock; cement in rock; sand and 
clay to first sandrock, and cement in rock; and then 
sand and clay to surface, thus effectually closing them. 
The surface water is shut off in the balance by a seed- 
bag in the first sandrock. Preparations are making for 
casing remainder of wells by process described in pre¬ 
ceding chapter of this work. 

Ham. 31 <, Clmtock Farm. —On both sides of Oil 
Creek, in Cornplanter township, containing 350 acres of 
land. Original owner, Hamilton M‘Clintock. Present 
owner, M‘Clintockville Petroleum Company. Pur¬ 
chased in Spring of 1864. Bounded on the north by 
Buchanan farm, east by Tolies, south by Shaw and 
Cornplanter tract, west by Hood and others. Three 
miles from Oil City, and half a mile from Rouseville. 
Oil Creek passes through on east of south and south 
course. Loyd’s Run comes through a ravine on east 
side of Creek in a south of west course, emptying into 
Creek. Also Hamilton Run, from same side of Creek, 
having a southwest course. Turnpike from Oil City to 
various points up the Creek, passes through. Also 
Reno and Pithole and Farmers’ Railroad, now building. 
The Reno Railroad passes along the side hill to near 
the upper or northern line of this farm, crossing the 
Creek and valley at this point, on a high bridge and 
trestle-work, some forty feet high. This farm is fa¬ 
mous as having been one of the localities from which oil 
was obtained for perhaps half a century or more pre¬ 
vious to the oil development. The oil flowed up on the 
surface of springs and a portion of the Creek. The In- 


244 


PETROLIA. 


dians collected oil from same locality, so far as memory 
runs. Each year the Senecas and other tribes of the 
six nations, held a yearly festival upon Oil Creek, and 
this farm is supposed to have been one of their meeting 
places. Montcalm, the French commander, gives a 
description of one of these festivals, in a letter to his 
government. As a fitting finale, at the close of their 
ceremonies, the oil on the surface of Oil Creek was set 
on fire, making a scene that filled the mind w'ith awe, 
if not terror. The nature of the ceremonies, objects, 
etc., have unfortunately been unrecorded, so that we 
can give no definite idea of them. The oil was col¬ 
lected and used by the Indians both for medicine and 
as a cosmetic for adorning their persons, being used for 
mixing their war-paint. Paint rock—red—has been 
found at various points along the Allegheny. All that 
was required for the purposes specified was thus pro¬ 
vided by nature. 

In May, 1862, there were eight producing wells, all 
flowing and fifty-six non-producing. Average daily 
product at this time, 235 barrels. Amount of produc¬ 
tion up to that time, as follows: Flowed, 40,698 bar¬ 
rels ; pumped, 41,700 barrels—total, 82,390 barrels. 
Average depth of wells, 500 feet. Average cost 
of wells, $3,000. All on flat, and owned as follows: 
Shirk, Curtiss, Hebbard, Noble & Co., Centre 
County, Haines & Foster, Willard, Tuft & Co., Hyde 
Town Oil Company, Wilkins & Shaw, Loomis & 
Co., G. W. Howard, Kuhns, Gates, Hasson & Co., 
Persan, Dewey & Co., Kintner & Co., Rolph, Tuft & 
Son, Long, Brewer & Watson, Hotchkiss, Garfield & 
Elliot, Whiting, and others. There are at the present 
time twenty producing wells—three flowing, seventeen 
pumping. There are ninety non-producing wells, and 
fifteen in progress. Present daily production, 400 bar- 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 245 

rels. Average depth of wells on the flat, 520 feet; on 
the hill, 610 feet; one well drilled 746 feet. Amount 
of production since 1862 not ascertained. The present 
owners know nothing of the production previous to 
their purchase, and seem disinclined, or something else, 
to run over their books and give us the desired inform¬ 
ation. Commenced producing in 1861, and continued 
on to the present time. Their wells are on the flat and 
hillside or table land of same. Owned generally by 
lessees. Seven are owned by company. Wells known 
as follows: M‘Kinley wells, old and new; Hebbard, 
Greenback, Abbott, Jenkins, Gurney, Weaver, Ashton, 
Rood, Long, Paxton, Warehouse, Refinery, Page, 
Dunn, Cunningham, &c. There are forty engines, port¬ 
able and stationary, on the farm. Depth of first sand- 
rock on the hill, 190 feet; on the flat, 225 feet—20 feet 
thick; second sand, 330 feet on flat, and 450 feet on 
hill—25 feet thick; third sand, 490 feet on flat, and 
600 feet on hill—15 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 
30 feet on the flat, and 18 feet on the hill. Two refin¬ 
eries on farm—Bowen & Clark, capacity 400 barrels 
crude per week; and the Wamsutta Oil and Mining 
Company, capacity, 425 barrels per week. Hills on the 
hillside abrupt and difficult of access. On the east side 
more gradual in ascent affording good table land for 
operating on. This is also the residence of the former 
owner of the farm. M‘Clintockville, at one time a 
promising little town, is located principally on the flat. 
Has a hotel and store, &c. A toll-bridge across Oil 
Creek at this point. 

Buchanan Farms .—Located on both sides of Oil 
Creek, three and a half miles from its mouth, in Corn- 
planter township. Containing 150 acres in the lower, 
or John Buchanan, farm, and 276 acres in the upper, or 


246 


rETEOLlA. 


Archie Buchanan, farm. Original owners, J. & A. 
Buchanan. Present owners, of J. Buchanan farm, 
Buchanan Royalty Petroleum Company. Purchased in 
1865 of A. Buchanan by Haldeman, Hostetter & 
Co., and others. Purchased in September, 1864. 
Bounded as follows : north by J. M‘Clintock, and J. 
W. Steele, east by Tolls, south by H. M‘Clintock, and 
by Hayes. Is three and a half miles from Oil City, 
and four miles from Plummer Road, leading to Oil 
City in an east of south course. Kersey Railroad, from 
Creek through Cherry Run, crosses this tract. Also 
the Farmers’ Railroad. The Reno and Pithole 
Railroad crosses the valley of Oil Creek on this 
farm, on a high trestle-work, supported by spiles 
driven into the ground, the whole structure reaching 
from the high banks of the Creek on the west side to 
the hillside or the east side of the Creek, near the point 
of the hill made by the valley of Oil Creek and Cherry 
Run, crossing the J. Buchanan farm in a diagonal 
northeast course. This trestle-work will average forty 
feet in height across the vale. It still remains as a 
monument of the energy and lavish expenditure of the 
projectors of this famed “ mountain” railroad. It is an 
airy-looking structure, and has a heavy grade, well cal¬ 
culated to make the passenger nervous. 

In May, 1862, there were on both farms five wells, 
all flowing, and thirty-nine non-producing. Average 
daily production, 165 barrels. The amount of produc¬ 
tion up to that time by flowing, 48,284 barrels; by 
pumping, 57,577 barrels—total, 105,861 barrels. Aver¬ 
age depth of wells, 500 feet. Average cost, $3,000. 
Commenced to produce in 1861. Wells principally on 
the flat, and owned generally by lessees, a few of which 
we give: Haldeman and Murray, Burning Well Com¬ 
pany, Rockwell and others, Brawley, Sherman, York, 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 247 

drilled with spring-pole, some with horse-power, and 
others by steam, any way in those days to get the well 
drilled and obtain the oil. Oil was also obtained on 
this farm by white people, and previous to them by the 
Indians, similar to that of the M‘Clintock farm, long be¬ 
fore any developments were dreamed of. At the pres¬ 
ent time there are, on the J. Buchanan farm, three pro¬ 
ducing and twenty-eight non-producing wells. On the 
A. Buchanan farm, eighteen producing and 110 non¬ 
producing. None flowing. Producing wells all pump¬ 
ing. Daily production of J. Buchanan farm, thirty bar¬ 
rels. Of A. Buchanan farm, 250 barrels. Amount of 
production since May, 1862, not ascertained. The 
property having passed through so many different hands, 
it is difficult to get reliable figures. Wells are now on 
both flat and bluff, owned by lessees, a few of whom 
are as follows: Alhambra well, Taylor & Abbott, 
Champion, Cherry Run, Smith, Charter Oak, Trundy 
& Patton, Taylor & Rockwell, U. S. No. 4, Sprague, 
Rouseville Oil Company, Shaft well, &c., on A. Bu¬ 
chanan farm. On J. Buchanan farm: Clark & Banks, 
Watson & Irwin, Haldeman & Murray, Trundy, Camp 
& Strong, Cunningham, Comet, Guernsey, Imperial, 
Allen Wright Oil Company, Burning well, &c. There 
are seventy-five engines on the farms. Sandrocks are 
as follows: Depth of first sandrock, 190 feet—30 feet 
thick; second sand, 340 feet—25 feet thick; third 
sand, 480 feet—18 feet thick. On the hills these are a 
greater depth, corresponding to the elevation of the lo¬ 
cation of the wells. The flats are broad at this point, 
and at the junction of Cherry Run with Oil Creek. 
Hills not as abrupt as below, giving a large scope of 
territory to operate upon both on the hills and flats. 
There are two refineries on the A. Buchanan farm— 
Brown, Mitchell & Co., capacity, 125 barrels crude per 


248 


PETROLIA. 


week; Horton, capacity, ninety barrels crude oil per 
week. The flourishing village of Rouseville is located 
on the A. Buchanan farm, on both sides of Cherry Run, 
at its mouth, extending to the table lands of the J. 
M‘Clintock farm. 

The Buchanan Farm Oil Company, Working Interest 
Oil Company, Oil Basin Petroleum Company, Halde- 
man & Co., and J. Alexander, are represented on these 
farms, in the leasehold of the oil interest. The Curtiss 
& Ilickok well, on the A. Buchanan farm,* is reported 
to have been the first flowing well on Oil Creek. 
Flowed a large quantity of oil at the depth of 196 feet. 
It was struck before the days of tubing wells to flow. 
Hot having the experience of later days, much of the 
oil was lost, and the well injured by the surface water 
obstructing the flow. The Clark & Banks wells, and 
Haldeman & Murray wells, on the J. Buchanan farm, 
are among the most productive. The Burning well, on 
the J. Buchanan farm, is among the most noted from 
its tragical history, which is given in a preceding chap¬ 
ter. 


John M l Clintock Farm. —On east side of Oil Creek, 
extending across the valley of Cherry Run, in Corn- 
planter township. Containing 200 acres; one-half or 
more of which is good territory for oil operations. 
Original owner, J. M‘Clintock. Present owner, J. 
M‘Clintock in fee. In leasehold, Bliven Oil Company, 
of Hew York, formerly B. R. Alden, seven forty- 
eighths; Working Interest Oil Company, twenty-four 
forty-eighths; Wallace Oil Company, formerly Curtiss, 
Haldeman & Fawcett, three thirty-seconds; If. R. 
M‘Clintock, one sixteenth ; Allegheny & Pittsburgh 
Oil Company, formerly John M‘Clintock Reserve, one 
eighth, Kendrick Oil Company, one twenty-fourth ; Dr. 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 249 

A. Carey, one thirty-second. Bounded on the north by 
the Rynd farm, east by lands of the Union and Brevort 
Oil Companies, south by Buchanan, west by Oil Creek. 
Is four miles from Oil City, three miles from Plumer, 
and four miles from Petroleum Centre. Oil Creek here 
has a bearing south, Cherry Run southwest; where it 
crosses road to Oil City, south, Plumer northeast, Pe¬ 
troleum Centre north. Kersey Railroad crosses, passing 
up Cherry Run. 

In May, 1862, there was but one producing well, 
the Anderson, flowing seventy barrels per day, and 
twenty-one nomproducing wells. Amount of produc¬ 
tion up to that time from the farm by flowing, 12,100 
barrels ; by pumping, 250 barrels. Average depth, 500 
feet. Average cost of w^ells, $3,000. Commenced 
producing in 1860. Wells principally on the flat, and 
owned or known as follows: Anderson well, Alden & 
Chase, Buttonwood wells, Pool well, Buell well, and 
others. At the present time there are thirty-two pro¬ 
ducing wells, ten flowing, and twenty-two pumping. 
Average daily product, 200 barrels. There are also 
fifty-three non-producing wells, and fourteen in progress. 
Average depth of wells, 500 feet. Commenced jwo- 
ducing in 1863, 1864, and 1865. Wells both on flat 
and bluff. The best wells are on the bluff and table 
lands at the present time, and are known in part as 
follows: St. Nicholas No. 2, formerly Ennis, Sucker 
State, Whyte & Main, Wright & Hall, Main & 
Horn, Meade, Orr Bros., Bluff Cottage, Chamberlin & 
Babbit, Ennis, Babcock, all flowing. Seven others 
pumping. There are fifty engines, portable and sta¬ 
tionary, with the ordinary machinery, on the farm. 
Depth of first sandrock on flat, 200 feet; on hill, 260 
feet— 25 feet thick ; second sand, 340 feet on flat, 400 feet 
on hill— 25 feet thick ; third sand, 520 feet on flat, 560 
11 * 


250 


PETEOLIA. 


feet on hill—12 feet thick. The difference in depth is 
the difference in elevation. Depth of driving-pipe, 
30 feet. 

There is one refinery—Auburn Oil Works, Orr 
Bros. ; capacity, 200 barrels crude per week. Is located 
on the eastern part of the farm, on a small ravine mak¬ 
ing down into Cherry Run on the east side. This farm 
has been among the most productive on the Creek, and 
is well located for oil purposes. Many new wells have 
been drilled on the hills, with good success, and are 
now producing abundantly. The Excelsior well, in the 
bluff, has been among the best wells on the Creek near 
the M‘Clintock reserve. Is now doing nothing. This 
farm was leased by Chase & Alden, in September, 1859, 
for one half the oil. In 1860, Messrs. Curtiss, Haldeman. 
Fawcett & Carey, one eighth. Other parties having 
smaller interests, M‘Clintock reserving one eighth. 
Several of these interests have since changed hands, 
and are now owned by different parties. Amount of 
production since 1862 not ascertained. 

Steele Farm-—(or Widow M} Clintock .)—On the 
west side of Oil Creek, opposite J. M‘Clintock farm, 
in Cornplanter township. Containing 100 acres. Ori¬ 
ginal owner, Widow M‘Clintock. Present owner, J. 
W. Steele, by will or inheritance, or will as an adopted 
son. He came into the possession of it in March, 1864. 
Bounded on the north by Rynd, east by Oil Creek, 
south by Buchanan, west by Moore and Hayes. Four 
miles from Oil City, and four miles from Petroleum 
Centre, Oil Creek bears south. Roads to Oil City 
south, to Petroleum Centre north. 

In May, 1862, there were three producing wells, all 
flowing, and twenty-four non-producing. Average 
depth, 500 feet. Average cost, $3,000. Commenced 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 251 

producing in 1861 and 1862. Average daily product 
at that time, 350 barrels. Amount produced up to 
May, 1862, 89,000 barrels. Wells all on the flat, and 
owned in part as follows : Van Slyke, Eastman, Lloyd, 
Christie, Ocean well, Hayes & Merrick, Ilernden & 
Co., and others. 

At the present time there are twenty producing 
wells—two flowing and eighteen pumping. There are 
twenty-five non-producing wells, and five in progress. 
Amount of production since May, 1862, not ascertained. 
Average depth of wells, 520 feet. Average cost, $6,000. 
Commenced producing in 1863, and on since. Are 
mostly on flat. One, Little Giant, on bluff. A few 
others have been drilled on the hillside. The average 
daily production at the present time is 300 barrels. 
The names of the principal producing wells are as fol¬ 
lows : Little Giant, Mammoth, Sterritt No. 2, Bum- 
stead, Morrison, Lafayette, Blacksmith, Sterritt No. 4, 
Chase well, Hebbard & Chamberlin, Chamberlin, and 
nine other smaller ones. Depth of first sandrock, 160 
feet—40 feet thick; second sand, 330 feet—21 feet 
thick ; third sand, 473 feet;—30 feet thick. Depth of 
driving-pipe, 25 feet. On this farm is a machine shop, 
one store, and three hotels. There is a broad flat, well 
adapted for oil operations. The hills are more broken, 
and recede back from the Creek with a gradual slope. 
The wells, producing in 1862, are doing nothing now. 
Many wells drilled on the farm have proved unprofit¬ 
able. Some have been large flowing wells. The great 
difficulty on this farm is the connection between the 
crevices in the rocks, letting the surface water from one 
flood the other. Many of the wells are now cased, and 
are producing more oil by having the surface water cut 
off. When this course is taken with all the wells, we 
may look for a large production. 


252 


PETROLIA. 


Rynd Farm .—On both sides of Oil Creek, and 
mouth of Cherry Tree Run, in Cornplanter township. 
Consists of 300 acres. Original owner, J. Rynd. Pres¬ 
ent owner, Rynd Farm Oil Company, of New York. 
On the east side of the Creek are 196 acres. It ex¬ 
tends over the hills, bordering on the valley of Cherry 
Run. On the west side there are 114 acres, embracing 
the mouth of Cherry Tree Run and Wykle Run. 
Bounded on the north by Blood, east by Smith farm, 
south by John M‘Clintock and Steele farms, west by 
Ward. Purchased by the Rynd Farm Oil Company in 
the Summer of 1864. Bearing of Oil Creek south and 
southeast; Cherry Tree Run southeast; Wykle Run 
east. Roads to Oil City south ; to Cherry Tree west 
of north ; to Petroleum Centre northeast. 

In May, 1862, there were four producing wells, all 
flowing. Daily production, 140 barrels. There were 
sixteen non-producing wells. Amount of production 
up to that time, 28,000 barrels. Average depth of 
wells, 500 feet. Average cost, $2,500. Commenced pro¬ 
ducing in 1861 and 1862. Wells all on flat at that time. 

At the present time there are twelve producing 
wells—one flowing, eleven pumping. Average daily 
production, fifty-six barrels. There are forty-five non¬ 
producing wells, and four in progress. The flowing 
well has been flowing over four years, and is now pro¬ 
ducing six barrels per day; formerly flowed eighty 
barrels per day. Amount of production, since 1862, 
not ascertained. Since Rynd Farm Oil Company 
purchased, 18,339 barrels. Present average depth of 
wells, 550 feet. Average cost, $5,500. Commenced 
producing in 1863, 1864, and 1865. Wells principally 
on flat. Some on bluff and hill. The producing wells 
are owned as follow : Favorite Petroleum Company, of 
New York, Frost Petroleum Company, Northern Light 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 253 

Petroleum Company, RyndFarm Oil Company, National 
Oil Company, of Pittsburgh; Ozark Petroleum Com¬ 
pany, Lumbermen Dealers Oil Company, Rochester and 
Cherry Run Oil Company, Syracuse Oil Company, 
Boston Oil Company, Story Farm Oil Company, of 
Philadelphia. Depth of first sandrock, 167 feet—30 
feet thick ; second sand, 345 feet deep—30 feet thick ; 
third sand, 470 feet—25 feet thick. The depth of the 
sandrock increases with the elevation of the hills. 
Depth of driving-pipe, from 8 to 30 feet, according to 
locality. Is less on the hills. There are five refineries, 
as follows: Littlefield, Swift & Co., on Cherry Tree 
Run, capacity, 350 barrels crude per week; John Col¬ 
by, capacity, 60 barrels ; Masters & Abthorp, capacity, 
100 barrels crude per week; Anderson & Dyer, ca¬ 
pacity, 100 barrels; Eagle Spring Refining and Oil 
Company, on Wykle Run, capacity, 350 barrels crude 
per week. There is a broad flat convenient to operate 
upon on the east side of the Creek. On west side, em¬ 
bracing the mouth of Cherry Tree Run and Wykle Run, 
there is a large scope of territory, eligibly located for 
oil development. Hills abrupt on east side, forming a 
high ridge between Oil Creek and Cherry Run. On 
Cherry Tree Run and Wykle Run, hills are more broken, 
and not as difficult of access. Some wells have been 
drilled recently on the high lands with varied success. 
Some are paying wells, others are not. 

There is an island in the Creek at the upper part of 
this farm and lower part of Blood farm, formerly known 
as Rynd Island. Now owned by the Island Oil Company. 
There are six wells upon the island. Some of them have 
formerly been productive, but are doing nothing now, and 
have the appearance of being unprofitable investments. 
Have two engines on the island. The wells on Cherry 
Tree and Wykle Runs have never been very productive. 


254 


PETEOLIA. 


Blood Farm .—On both sides of Oil Creek, in Corn- 
planter township. Containing 440 acres. Original 
owner, J. Blood. Present owners, Home Petroleum 
Company, of New York, of that portion lying on the 
east side of Oil Creek; Blood Farm Petroleum Com¬ 
pany of that portion lying on the west side of Oil 
Creek. The Ocean Petroleum Company own five acres 
of the flat on the east side, on which there were for¬ 
merly twelve flowing wells, all drilled in 1861. The 
Home and Blood farms purchased in May, 1864. 
Bounded on the north by Story, Tarr, and Ray farms, 
east by M‘Fate Bros., south by Rynd, west by Ward 
and others. Is one mile from Rouseville, three miles 
from Petroleum Centre. Oil Creek bears south and 
southwest. Roads to Rouseville south, to Petroleum 
Centre north. 

In May, 1862, there were fourteen producing wells, 
all flowing. Average daily product, 450 barrels. 
There were eight non-producing wells. Amount of 
production up to May, 1862, 151,000 barrels. Average 
depth of wells, 485 to 500 feet. Average cost, from 
$1,000 to $5,000. Commenced producing in 1861 and 
1862. Wells chiefly on the flat on east side of Creek, 
and known in part as follows : Kelly well, Carnes & 
Co., Painter, Lauffer & Co., Crane & Stowe, Filkins, 
Hart & Bros., Burning well, Maple Tree Company, 
Wright & Co., Collins, Rowley, Lehigh Company, 
Blood well, Reed well, and several others. 

There are at the present time fifteen producing 
wells, all pumping, and sixty non-producing wells. Are 
located as follows : ten producing and forty non-produc¬ 
ing on east side, Home Oil Company; five producing 
and twenty non-producing on west side, Blood Farm 
Oil Company. Present daily production, 200 barrels. 
Average depth of wells, 500 feet. Average cost of 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 255 

wells, $5,000. Commenced producing in 1863, 1864, 
and 1865. Amount of production since May, 1862, not 
ascertained. Wells on flat and bluff. Known in part 
as follows : Lady Washington, Bushnell & Co., Maple 
Grove. Have forty engines, portable and stationary, 
on the farm. Depth of first sandrock, 190 feet—25 feet 
thick; second sand, 315 feet—25 feet thick; third 
sand, 465 feet—25 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 
35 feet on the flat, and 15 feet or less on the bluff 
One refinery—Barrows & Hazleton. Not in operation. 
Capacity not ascertained. There are but a few acres of 
the flat upon the east side, yet they produced in 1861, 
1862, and 1863, large amounts of oil, and were at the 
time mentioned as the great producing centre of Oildom. 
The flat on west side is more extensive, but not so pro¬ 
ductive, never having been as extensively developed. 
The companies are now casing their wells, in anticipa¬ 
tion of making many of them productive again. So far 
as they have progressed they have met with good suc¬ 
cess. Some of the wells having doubled their production. 

The Pithole speculation and excitement drew the 
interest from this locality and materially retarded op¬ 
erations, as it did all along the Creek. This company 
are now offering extra inducements in the way of re¬ 
duced royalty, which will be beneficial, and no doubt 
draw back many of the wanderers. At the Lady Wash¬ 
ington and several other wells, small gas-pipes are ex¬ 
tended from the wells to a height above the tops of the 
derricks, conducting off the surplus gas not used for 
the engines. The gas is ignited at the end of these 
pipes, and kept burning, illuminating the flats at night, 
giving them a very cheerful appearance. The Burning 
well, belonging to the Maple Tree Company, flowed 
nearly 2,500 barrels per day, but soon fell off to about 
250 barrels per day, producing at this rate up to date 


256 


PETEOLIA. 


of October, 18G2, when fire communicated and destroyed 
the same, together with a number of other wells, and a 
large amount of oil. (See chapter on Disasters.) The 
territory burned over has not since proved as good as 
before. 

Tarr Farm .—Located on the east side of Oil 
Creek, Cornplanter township. Contains 198 acres. 
Original owner, Jas. Tarr. Present owners, Jas. Tarr, 
one half; Clark & Sumner, one fourth ; Tarr Farm Pe¬ 
troleum Company, one fourth. Clark & Sumner pur¬ 
chased their interest in August, 1861, for $20,000. 
The same parties offered $60,000 for the entire royalty, 
but Mr. Tarr refused the offer. Clark & Sumner re¬ 
sold one third of their purchase to Colonel Payne, Ber¬ 
nard Hughes, L. C. Spencer, and others, of Rochester, 
for $35,000. The rapid decline in the price of oil, made 
these parties regret their purchase, and they subse¬ 
quently disposed of their interest back to the same firm 
at the buying price. The Tarr Farm Petroleum Com¬ 
pany purchased their interest more recently. Partic¬ 
ulars of purchase not ascertained. 

Bounded on the north by the Story farm, east by 
Russell & Seymour, south by Blood farm, west by Oil 
Creek. Is five and a half miles from Oil City, two 
and a half from Petroleum Centre. The Creek bears 
southwest and south. Road to Oil City south, to Pe¬ 
troleum Centre north. In May, 1862, there were seven 
producing wells, all flowing, and three non-producing 
wells. Average daily production at that time, 1,200 
barrels. Amount of production to May, 1862, 80,900 
barrels. Average depth of wells, 480 to 505 feet. Aver¬ 
age cost, $2,000 to $3,000. Commenced producing in 
1861 and 1862. Are located principally on the flats. 

At the present time there are twenty-six producing 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 257 

wells. Average daily production, 1,000 barrels. There 
are also thirty-two non-producing; twenty-one in pro¬ 
gress and testing. Two of the producing wells are 
flowing and twenty-four pumping. Average depth of 
wells on flat, 500 feet; on bluff, 580 feet. Average 
cost, $5,000. Wells are on flat and bluff. Amount 
of production, name of well, and date of commence¬ 
ment is shown by table below. Depth of first sand- 
rock, 233 feet—20 feet thick; second sand, 367 feet— 
25 feet thick; third sand, 507 feet—35 feet thick on 
first table land; less in depth as same descends to flat, 
more as ascends the hill. Depth of driving-pipe on the 
hill, or bluff, 40 feet; on the flats, 20 feet. 


Name of Well. 

Time Struck. 

No. BMs. per Day. 

Tolal Production. 

Crescent. 

June, 1861 .. 

COO 

32,000 

Philips No. 1. 

44 44 

400 

25,000 

“ No. 2. 

Sept., “ .. 

4,000 

300,000 

•"■Uobe No. 1. 

Oct., “ .. 

80 

4,000 

Woodford. 

Dec., “ .. 

3,000 

150,000 

Elephant No. 1. 

44 u 

600 

20,000 

Raymond. 

u 44 

50 

8,000 

Smith No. 2. 

44 44 

120 

7,000 

Union . 

April, 1862.. 

300 

30,000 

Curwin . 

July, “ .. 

75 

20,000 

Eagle . 

Aug., “ .• 

100 

8,000 

Anaconda . 

4 l 44 

80 

8.000 

J ancs . 

Oct., “ .. 

75 

3,500 

'YV'fntzfd .... 

.Tune, 1863 .. 

60 

2,200 

Union No. 2 . 

44 44 

40 

2'000 

Crouch No 1 . 

Oct., “ .. 

45 

8,000 

2,500 

Monitor No. 1 . 

44 44 

20 

Cornwall . 

Aug, 1864.. 

120 

6,500 

Sterling. 

Scare Cat, No 2. 

Sept., “ .. 

120 

3,500 

Nov., “ .. 

80 

3,000 

Densmore. 

Dec., “ .. 

40 

600 

Spooner. 

May, 1865.. 

50 

600 

Crouch No. 2. 

July, “ .. 

50 

600 

Monitor No. 2. 

44 4 4 

40 

200 

Lot 253. 

Aug., “ .. 

50 

700 

Lot 233. 

Oct., “ .. 

50 

200 

Lot 252. 

44 44 

50 

200 

646,300 bbls. 


The above is to October 26, 1865. 


The names of non-producing and wells in progress, 
not ascertained in full. The larger portion of the farm 
lies upon the table land, hillside, and top of same. Flat 















































258 


PETROLIA. 


narrow, rising gradual up to tlie first bench, where 
some of the best wells are located. Many of the old 
wells are now cased, and others closed, showing a per¬ 
fect success in this manner of treating wells, from the 
fact that last of March, 1865, the farm was not produc¬ 
ing a barrel of oil; now it is producing 1,000 barrels 
per day. After casing, the Philips and Woodford wells 
pumped six to eight weeks on water before commenc¬ 
ing to produce oil. Gas is burned at several wells on 
this farm, as on the Blood. The Tarr farm boasts of a 
population of 1,000 inhabitants, and has quite a lively 
little town, with hotels, stores, dwellings, church build¬ 
ing, school-house, machine-shops, &c. 

When gold was worth $2.50, Mr. Tarr was offered 
$800,000 in cash for the fee-simple of the farm, which 
was equivalent to $2,000,000. He declined the offer. 
During the last season quite a number of good wells 
have been struck on the hillside, and have given a new 
impetus to speculation. 

We give more extended information of some of 
these farms than most of others, from the fact that we 
find their business in good working-shape, and all 
items of information convenient to get at, everything 
having been kept so that those interested in the farm 
could know how their matters stood. Many, in fact a 
majority of the companies, either could not, or did not 
wish to furnish us with the information we desired. 

Several wells are being pumped with machinery 
forming a direct action with slides and ways, with cross¬ 
head, &c., dispensing with working-beam, &c. 

Story Farm .—On both sides of Oil Creek, in Corn- 
planter township. The larger portion being on the 
west side, extending nearly half a mile. The east side 
is principally bluff and hills, high and abrupt. Farm 



PHILLIPS AND WOODFORD FLOWING WELLS—TARR FARM, 



























































































































































































































LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 259 


contains 500 acres. About 100 acres of flat and table 
land. Original owner, Win. Story. Present owner, 
Columbia Oil Company, of Pittsburgh. Purchased in 
1859, by Messrs. Ritchie, Hartje & Co., for about $30,- 
000. The following year it was put into a stock com¬ 
pany, having a nominal capital of $200,000, represented 
by 1,000 shares, at the par value of twenty dollars each. 
The company was incorporated by act of Legislature 
of May 1 , 1861, under the title of the Columbia Oil 
Company. Bounded on the north by G. W. M‘Clin- 
tock & Hayes; east by Oil Creek, Hayes & Sutley ; 
south by Blood, Tarr, and Oil Creek; west by Sutley, 
Pierson, and others. Is six miles from Oil City, extend¬ 
ing nearly to Petroleum Centre on the west side of the 
Creek. Oil Creek has a bearing south and southeast. 
Petroleum Centre northeast and north. 

In 1862 there were twelve producing wells, all 
flowing, and two non-producing. Average daily produc¬ 
tion, 1,300 barrels. Amount of production to May, 

1862, 60,375 barrels. Commenced producing i n 1861 
and 1862. Average depth of wells, 515 feet. Cost, from 
$1,000 to $4,000. Wells principally on the flat, and 
known in part as follows: Shreve & Co., Maloney, 
Painter, Wannamaker & Co., Hayes, Jack & Co., 
Hartje & Co., Dexter, Ladies’ well, Shoup, Lloyd & 
Co., Eicholtz & Co., Breed Town, Reynolds, Floral Oil 
Company. 

There are at the present time sixty producing wells 
—four flowing and fifty-six pumping. Average daily 
production, 700 barrels. There are sixty-two non-pro¬ 
ducing wells, and ten in progress. Amount of produc¬ 
tion, 805,587 barrels up to date of November 5, 1865. 
Average depth of wells at this time, 505 to 520 feet. 
Cost, $3,000 to $5,000. Commenced producing in 

1863, 1864, and 1865. Wells are on flat and bluff. 


260 


PETKOLIA. 


Owned as stated below. • Have seventy-live engines on 
the farm. Depth of first sandrock, 233 feet—20 feet 
thick; second sand, 307 feet—25 feet thick; third 
sand, 480 feet—25 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 
27 feet on the flat. Less on bluff. Wells now pro¬ 
ducing: Sheridan w T ell; Guipner & Co., two wells; 
Manhattan, three wells; Titus Oil Company, two 
wells ; Columbia No. 30, Eicholtz & Co. 

The following is the amount some of these wells 
have produced: Guipner & Co., two wells, 36,000 bar¬ 
rels ; Titus Oil Company, two wells, 91,000 barrels; 
Ladies’ well, 60,000 barrels ; Perry well, 25,000 barrels ; 
Ramcat well, 40,000 barrels; Story Centre Oil Com¬ 
pany, 36,000 ; Breed Town well, 35,000 barrels; Big 
Tank well, 40,000 barrels; Oil Creek and Cherry Run 
Company’s well, 52,000 barrels; Western Pennsyl¬ 
vania Oil Company, Floral well, 58,000 barrels. 

There are three refineries—Crystal Oil Works, ca¬ 
pacity, 440 barrels crude per week, B. J. Kimball & 
Co., proprietors; Big Tank Oil Works, 240 barrels 
crude per w r eek, Fish & Colvin; Croton Oil Works, 
capacity, 400 barrels crude per week, Scott, Crane 
& Co. The company have a machine shop of their 
own. There is a store-house, hotels, boarding-houses, 
shops, offices, &c., on the farm. We find here a new 
patent apparatus in use, working very successfully, 
styled Van Norman, Brown & Morrison’s Patent Steam 
and Petroleum Burner. We will allow the inventor 
to tell his own story : 

The patentees propose to burn steam in combina¬ 
tion with Petroleum, as a cheap agent to generate 
steam in any description of boiler, for the purpose of 
driving engines. The machine receives the steam 
direct from the boiler, in part, the balance of the steam 
required for fuel is taken from the exhaust of the en- 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 261 

gine; the whole passing through a coil of iron pipe, 
in the top of the furnace, in which it becomes hot 
enough to effect the decomposition of the water or 
steam. From thence one part is admitted into the retort, 
which contains gasified Petroleum, which is nearly pure 
carbon. The combustion making carburetted hydro¬ 
gen, which passes out of the retort, in small openings 
on its top, and another portion of the steam passing 
into a steam-jacket which surrounds the retort, and 
comes out of the top, immediately opposite to and close 
to the small streams of carburetted hydrogen, and at 
an angle of 40°, bringing the point of contact about 
two inches above the retort, at which point ignition 
takes place. The expansion of the gases during com¬ 
bustion is very great, burning with a strong blue and 
crimson blaze. The remaining portion of the steam is 
conducted into a coil at the bottom of the retort, 
w T hich is submerged into the Petroleum, that con¬ 
verts it almost at once into gas, and from thence it 
passes out of the apparatus through pipes into a large 
hogshead, and through another coil for the purpose 
of preparing the residuum oil outside the engine-house 
for use. 

Hayes Farm .—Principally on the east side of Oil 
Creek, the southwest corner crossing the Creek, giving 
nearly same amount of flat land on each side of the 
Creek. Is in Cornplanter township. Contains 108 

acres of land. Original owner, -- Hayes. Present 

owner, Dalzell Oil Company. Purchased in 1864. 
Bounded on the north by J. JVFCray, east by Wm. 
M‘Cray, south by Story, west by Story and Egbert & 
Hyde. Seven and a half miles from Oil City and half 
a mile from Petroleum Centre. Oil Creek bears south¬ 
east and south. Hoads to Petroleum Centre north, to 
Kouseville south. 



262 


PETROLIA. 


In May, 1862, there was one producing well, flow¬ 
ing. Daily production, twenty-five barrels. Amount 
of production to that date, 3,500 barrels. Depth, 460 
feet. Cost, $2,000. Commenced producing in 1861. 
Well on the flat. At the present time there are two 
producing wells, pumping fifteen barrels each per day ; 
fourteen non-producing Avells, and five in progress. 
Amount of production since May, 1862, not ascertained. 
Average depth of wells, 520 feet. Average cost, 
$5,000. Commenced producing in 1863, 1864, and 
1865. Wells on flat and bluff, three; on hillside, 
owned by the company, nine; by lessees, ten. The 
Chimney well has been the most productive on the 
farm, and is located on the southwest corner, near the 
line of the Columbia Oil Company’s territory. There 
is an apparent lack of energy on the part of the com¬ 
pany. From the surface appearance, this territory 
ought to be as productive as the adjoining Story & 
Egbert farms. The Petroleum Shaft and Mining Com¬ 
pany, of Pennsylvania, are sinking a shaft on the north¬ 
west part of this farm, near the line of the Egbert & 
Hyde farm, on the hillside, in the rear of the Maple 
Shade and Jersey wells. Its location is about fifty feet 
above the level of the flats. The shaft is seven by 
seventeen feet. The foundations are built for the en¬ 
gines, which are now being put up for operations in the 
Spring. They intend to put up three engines, one of 
which is ninety horse-power, and two of fifty horse¬ 
power each. They propose to sink the shaft 500 feet, 
or to the third sandrock. The company expect to open 
up a new era in the process of mining for Petroleum. 

There are at the wells on this property ten portable 
and stationary engines. Depth of first sandrock, 180 
feet—25 feet thick; second sand, 360 feet—30 feet 
thick; third sand, 480 feet—20 feet thick. Hills high, 
but not as abrupt as at many points above and below. 


I 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 263 

Hyde Egbert Farm .—On the east side of Oil 
Creek, Cornplanter township. Contains thirty-eight 
acres. Original owner, A. Davidson. Present owners, 
Egbert & Hyde. Purchased in 1859. Bounded on 
the north by Oil Creek, east by M‘Cray and Dalzell, 
south by Story and Oil Creek, west by Oil Creek. Is 
eight miles from Oil City, and adjoins Petroleum Cen¬ 
tre ; two miles from Plumer. Oil Creek bears south¬ 
west and southeast. Roads, to Tarr farm south, 
Petroleum Centre north, to Plumer east. 

In May, 1862, there were two producing wells, 
yielding thirty-five barrels per day of a production. 
Ho other wells had then been sunk on the farm. 
Depth, 500 feet. Cost, $2,000. Commenced producing 
in 1861; both on the flat. At the present time there 
are eighteen producing wells—one flowing, seventeen 
pumping. Average daily product, 800 barrels. Wells 
producing from 15 to 150 barrels each daily. Amount 
of production since May, 1862, not fully ascertained, 
but estimated at 1,000,000 of barrels. Average depth 
of wells, 550 feet. Cost, $500. Commenced produc¬ 
ing in 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865. Wells all on flat 
and bluff, principally on the flat. Owned by land in¬ 
terests and lessees. Have forty engines, portable and 
stationary, on the farm. Depth of first sandrock, 170 
feet—20 feet thick; second sand, 320 feet—30 feet 
thick; third sand, 450 feet—40 feet thick. Depth of 
driving-pipe, 40 feet on the flat, and 90 feet on the 
bluff. 

The present producing wells are Cole well, Bern- 
heimer, Keystone, Tom Benton, Jersey Nos. 1 and 2, 
Maple Shade, Eagle, Olive Branch Nos. 1 and 2, Hol¬ 
lister, Coquette No. 27, Burlington, Bird, No. 34, 
Potts, Laurel Hill, &c. Twelve hundred barrels is the 
highest daily average of the farm. The Egbert & 


264 


PETKOLIA. 


Hyde is among the most productive of the farms along 
the Creek. The bluff wells are not as productive as 
those on the flats. Dr. M. C. Egbert has a fine resi¬ 
dence on the farm. There is not a liquor saloon on the 
farm, which is more than can be said of many of those 
where so much business is transacted. In 1861 this 
farm was considered “ dry territory.” Subsequent de¬ 
velopments proved the fallacy of previous predictions. 
The Maple Shade well commenced yielding August 5, 
1863, and for some months flowed from 800 to 1,000 
barrels per day, after which it fell off to 450 barrels per 
day, and gradually declined to about 100 barrels per day. 
Its yield, as estimated from August 5, 1863, to pres¬ 
ent time, has been about 190,000 barrels, selling at the 
well for upwards of $800,000, in addition to a consid¬ 
erable amount destroyed at the burning of this well, on 
March 2, 1864. Twenty-eight tanks of oil were burned, 
and the loss estimated at $100,000. The number of 
oil companies formed upon land and working interests 
of this farm, during the excitement of 1864 and 1865, 
were legion. 

G. TV. IP ClintocJc Farm .—Is located on the west side 
of Oil Creek, in Cornplanter township. Contains 207 
acres. Original owner G. W. M’Clintock. Present 
owner, Central Petroleum Company, of New York, pur¬ 
chased in February, 1864. The Company first leased 
the property in November, 1863, and afterward pur¬ 
chased it. Bounded on the north by Lower M’Elheney 
and BenninghofF, east by Oil Creek, south by Oil Creek 
and Story, west by Sherman, Knox & Co. Is eight 
miles from Oil City, and eight from Titusville. Oil 
Creek has a bearing south and southwest. Bennehoff 
Run south-east, and makes into the Creek on the west 
side at the north line of the farm. Adjacent to the vil- 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 265 

lage of Petroleum Centre is Wild Cat Run, a circular 
ravine of about three fourths of a mile in length, run- 
ning around a “ hog-back”—a hill shaped similar to the 
name given it—of about 50 feet in elevation above the 
flat. Roads, to Shaffer northerly, to Tarr Farm south, 
to Cherry Tree westerly. 

In May, 1862, there was one producing well, flow¬ 
ing 40 bbls. per day. There were nine non-producing 
wells. Amount of production up to that time, 1600 
barrels. Average depth of wells, 440 feet. Average 
cost, $3,000. Commenced producing in August, 1861. 
Wells on flat. Owned by Brown, Catlin & Co. At 
the present time, there are 33 producing wells—10 
flowing and 23 pumping. Average daily production, 900 
barrels. Two wells are abandoned, and 40 in progress; 
three non-producing at present. Have produced former¬ 
ly. Amount of production since May, 1862, 200,000 bar¬ 
rels. Average depth of wells, 550 feet. Average cost 
of wells, $6,000. Commenced producing in 1864 and 1865. 
Wells are on flat and hillside. The hillside wells are 
the most productive. Owned by the company and 
lessees. Have 65 engines, portable and stationary, with 
ordinary machinery, on the farm. Depth of first sandrock, 
180 feet—20 feet thick; second sand, 340 feet—25 feet 
thick ; third sand, 460 feet—25 feet thick. Depth of driv¬ 
ing pipe, 40 to 70 feet. Wells known in part as follow: 
Company’s 5-9-10-11-12-13-14. G. H. Clark’s well, 
Meyer well, Anderson wells, Swamp Angel, No. 4, &c. 
There are five refineries, as follows: Crystal Spring, capa¬ 
city 440 bbls. crude oil per week; Monitor, M. L. 
Bates & Co., 175 bbls. per week; Baker, Fames & Co., 
200 bbls. per week; Sweet, Moore & Co., 160 bbls.; 
Bartlett & Newton, 160 bbls. There are two abandon¬ 
ed refineries. This farm embraces a large extent of 
borable territory, taking in the larger part of Wild 
12 


266 


PETKOLIA. 


Cat Hollow. It is tlie location of the flourishing town 
of Petroleum Centre. The new strikes on the Stevenson 
Farm and Bennehoff Run have given a fresh impetus 
to the place, and all the busy scenes of the various points 
on Oil Creek are witnessed here. 

This territory was held in high estimation at the time 
of the speculative fever. The bonus of one hundred 
thousand dollars was offered in 1865, for ten leases on 
this farm, the royalty being one half. The offer was 
refused by the Company. It has been one among the 
best producing farms of the Oil Region, and from the 
commencement admirably managed. 

Stevenson Farm .—Joins the G. W. M’Clintock Farm, 
on the north, on Stevenson Run and Tarr Run. Is in 
Cherry Tree township. Contains 153 acres. Original 
owner John Stevenson. Present owner, Ocean Oil Com¬ 
pany, of Philadelphia. Purchased in November, 1864. 
Bounded on the north by R. Stevenson, east by Ben¬ 
nehoff Petroleum Company, south by G. W. M’Clin¬ 
tock, west by Drake, and others. Is half a mile from Pe¬ 
troleum Centre, not reaching to the Creek by a quarter 
of a mile. Stevenson Run bears southeast, and empties 
into Bennehoff Run a short distance from its mouth, 
Tarr Run bears east, and empties into Bennehoff Run 
above Stevenson Run. Road to Petroleum Centre south, 
to Cherry Tree northwest. 

There are nine producing wells on the farm : six flow¬ 
ing and three pumping. Average daily production, 1,000 
barrels. There are 34 wells in progress, five nearly com¬ 
pleted. Average depth of wells, 690 feet. Average cost, 
$6,500. Commenced producing September, 1865. 
Amount of oil shipped, over 50,000 bbls. The wells are 
all on the hill-side, three quarters of a mile back from, 
and on an elevation of 170 feet above the level of, the 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 2 07 

Creek. The derricks and necessary buildings about 
them give it much the appearance of a city set on a 
hill, and whose light will not be hid, judging from its 
present flow of illuminating oil. The company own two 
wells, Ocean and No. 3. The balance are owned by les¬ 
sees, giving to company one half the oil as royalty. Have 
43 engines, portable and stationary, on the farm. Depth of 
first sandrock, 350 feet—8 feet thick; second sand, 530 
feet—9 feet thick; third sand, G50 feet—40 feet thick. 
Depth of driving pipe, 15 to 20 feet. The principal pro¬ 
ducing wells are the Ocean well, 300 bbls.; Arctic well, 
300 barrels; No. 12—GO bbls.; No. 27—230 bbls.; No. 
18—30 bbls.; No. 20—75 bbls.; No. 19—20 bbls.; No. 
24—80 bbls.; No. 25—20 bbls. There is one refinery— 
M’Cool’s, capacity 200 barrels crude oil per week. 
This farm shows conclusively that the oil is not confined 
to the valleys of the streams. The first well, the Ocean, 
commenced flowing September 1st, 1865. Since then, 
eight more good wells have been obtained, which 
looks well for the future of the territory. 

McCray Farm .—On east side of Oil Creek, and on 
Rattlesnake Run. Original owner, Jas. JVPCray. Pres¬ 
ent owner, same. Bounded on the north by Boyd, 
east by Boyd & JVPCray, south by JVPCray—or Boston 
Petroleum Company—and Hayes, west by Egbert & 
Hyde and Oil Creek. In Cornplanter township, adjoining 
Petroleum Centre. Oil Creek has a bearing southwest. 

There are no producing wells, six non-producing, one 
pumping—testing. One well over 700 feet in depth; 
the others, 600 feet deep, are on Creek bank, hill-side 
and top. Sandrocks same as on flat, depth to them vary¬ 
ing according to difference of elevation, hills high and 
abrupt, difficult of access from Creek side, only a small 
portion coming to the Creek. 


268 


PETROLIA. 


Boyd Farm .—On the east side of Oil Creek, Corn- 
planter township; contains 75 acres. Original owner, 
James Boyd. Present or principal owners, Woods & 
Wright, of New York. Time of purchase not ascer¬ 
tained. Bounded on the north by M‘Elhenny, east by 
Phillips & Bro., south by JVPCray, west by Oil Creek. 
Is half a mile from Petroleum Centre, and three miles 
from Shaifer. There is one producing well on the 
farm, yielding when pumped, ten barrels per day. Oil 
Creek bears south at this point. Road to Petroleum 
Centre south, to Shaffer north. There are 21 non¬ 
producing wells—one or two of them have produced 
formerly, but not in paying quantity. Average depth, 
480 feet. Cost not ascertained. Wells all on the flat, 
owned principally by lessees. Have five engines, port¬ 
able and stationary. Depth of first sandrock, 165 feet 
—20 feet thick ; second sand, 325 feet—25 feet thick; 
third sand, 455 feet—25 feet thick. Depth of driving pipe, 
40 to 60 feet. There are three refineries, Patterson 
& Sons, capacity, 320 barrels of crude per week; Ensign’s 
or Carbon Oil works, 88 barrels per week; M‘Cool, ca¬ 
pacity, 160 barrels per week. The last two not in opera¬ 
tion. In the general history of the Creek, this farm is 
known as “ dry territory.” Future development of the 
hills may yet bring it on a par with the other farms 
adjoining it. 

Lower MFlhenny Farm. — On both sides of Oil 
Creek, in Cornplanter township, and Cherry Tree 
township. Contains 100 acres. Original owner, 
M‘Elhenny. Present owners, Hussey, M‘Bride, and L. 
Haldeman & Co. Purchased in the winter of 1859 and 
1860, for the sum of $20,000. Bounded on the north 
by Bennehoff and Oil Creek, east by Oil Creek and 
Espy, south by Boyd & M‘Clintock, west bv Bennehoff 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 


269 


Petroleum company. Is one mile from Petroleum Cen¬ 
tre, and two miles from Shaffer. Oil Creek is the only 
stream, and north of west, south and east of south. 
Road to Shaffer north, to Petroleum Centre south. 

In May, 1862, there were seven non-producing, all flow¬ 
ing, and 23 non-producing. Average depth, 475 feet. 
Cost from $4,000 to $7,500. Commenced producing in 
1861 and 1862. Amount of production up to that time, 
153,680 bhls. Wells all on the flat. The Crocker well 
commenced to flow in January, 1861. Flowed 1,000 
barrels per day for some time, afterward falling off, and 
ceased altogether in 1862. Empire well commenced flow¬ 
ing in September, 1861, 2,500 barrels per day, yielding 
2,000 barrels per day for most of the winter, falling off 
during the summer to about 300 barrels, and ceasing in 
1863, after flowing 80,000 barrels. Buckeye well com¬ 
menced flowing in September, 1861, 800 barrels per day, 
falling off to 200 barrels per day, and ceased in 1862, after 
flowing 43,000 barrels. Funk well is among the best pro¬ 
ducing ones of those days, the Burtiss, Aiken Davis wells, 
and others. There are at the present time 14 produc¬ 
ing wells, all pumping. Average daily production, 217 
barrels. There are 65 non-producing wells. Amount of 
production since May, 1862, 225,000 barrels. Average 
depth of wells 480 feet. Average cost, $5,000. Com¬ 
menced producing from 1862 to present time. Wells 
all on flat. Owned by lessees. Have 35 engines, port¬ 
able and stationary, with ordinary machinery, on the 
farm. Depth of first sandrock, 153 feet—30 feet thick; 
second sand, 311 feet—32 feet thick; third sand,446 feet 
— 27 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 27 to 45 feet in 
the middle of flat; less nearer the hills of bluff. The hill 
on the west side is very abrupt and high—on the east 
side gently elevating until near the upper portion, then 
more abrupt. There is a narrow flat at the upper end 


270 


rETEOLIA. 


on the west side. The developments are confined to 
the low land on the Creek. A large portion of the farm 
is on the up-lands, and is as yet undeveloped. The 
highest part of this, or the upper farm, is not more than 
150 feet above the level of the Creek. The present 
producing wells are, Hibbard No. 2, Empire No. 1, 
Hatch No. 2, Olmsted Nos. 1 & 4, Densmore Nos. 7 
& 11, Gray No. 3, American No. 2, Lincoln, Genessee 
Valley, No. 2, Bluff well. These farms are among the 
earliest of the oil-producing ones, and have been highly 
profitable to both land and working interests. Quite a 
smart little town, called Funkville, has been built up 
here, and comprises a few stores, hotel, school-house, 
machines, residences, &c. 

Benninghoff Farm .—On the north side of Oil 
Creek, at the bend in same, between lower and upper 
M‘Elhenny Farms, the south line crossing the creek 
twice, embracing two one-fourths in the bend of the 
creek on the south side. Owned by the Benninghoff 
Reserve Oil Company. Is in Cherry Tree township. 
Contains 150 acres of land. Bounded on the north by 
Benninghoff, east by upper M’Elhenny, south by lower 
M’Elhenny, west by Stevenson. Original and present 
owner, John Benninghoff. Five acres leased on the 
creek and Pioneer Run, embracing the principal part of 
the oil bearing territory, the greater part of the farm 
being on the hills. Pioneer Run crosses the north-east 
corner. Is one mile from Petroleum Centre and two 
miles from Shaffer. Oil Creek bears to the west at 
this point. Road to Petroleum Centre south, to Shaffer 
north. 

There are eight producing wells on the farm : three 
flowing, and five pumping. Daily production, 445 barrels. 
There are ten non-producing wells, and five on Pioneer 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 271 

Run in progress. Four wells on the Reserve, on south side 
of Creek—one producing 15 barrels per day, two with 
tools fast, and one in progress. Amount of production not 
ascertained. Wells on flat and hill side. Average 
depth of those on the Reserve, 570 feet. Cost $6,000, 
and are owned by the company. Those on the north 
side of Creek and Pioneer Run average 460 feet in depth, 
and cost $5,000. Are owned by lessees. Fifteen 
engines, portable and stationary, on the farm. Depth 
of first sandrock, 152 feet—20 feet thick; second sand, 
308 feet—25 feet thick; third sand, 440 feet—27 feet 
thick. Depth of driving-pipe, from 25 to 40 feet. One 
old abandoned refinery on Ci»eek, owned by DeKalb 
Oil Company, capacity not ascertained, probably 200 
barrels. The principal producing wells are; W. Jenk¬ 
ins, two wells, 40 barrels each; Huidekoper Oil Com¬ 
pany, two wells, 150 and 50 barrels; DeKalb Oil Com¬ 
pany, two wells, 30 barrels; Ocean well, Ilaskin’s well, 
on Pioneer Run, 120 barrels. Hills high and abrupt 
near the south line, leaving only a narrow bench along 
the Creek. More gentle in their ascent as they break 
over on to Pioneer Run. 

Espy Farm .—On south side of Oil Creek, Corn- 
planter township, containing 154 acres. Original and 
present owner, Geo. P. Espy. Bounded on the north 
by Oil Creek, east by Caldwell, south by Phillip’s 
Petroleum Company, west by Lower M’Elhenny. 
Mile and from Shaffer and Petroleum Centre. Oil 
Creek bears west. There are two producing wells, one 
flowing and one pumping. Daily product, 22 barrels. 
Five wells non-producing, because not worked, and one 
in progress on the hillside, back of Buckeye well. The 
old Buckeyo well formerly flowed 800 barrels per 
day, but is now doing nothing. Commenced producing 


272 


PETEOLIA. 


in 1862 and 1864. Amount of production, not ascer¬ 
tained. Weils on flat and liill-side. Owned by lessees. 
Have six portable engines on property. Average depth 
of wells, 460 feet. Cost of wells, $4,500. Depth of 
first sandrock, 165 feet—15 feet thick; second sand, 
316 feet—15 feet thick; third sand, 440 feet—30 feet 
thick. Depth of driving-pipe, seven feet. One refinery, 
Northrop Bros., capacity 150 barrels crude oil per 
week. The diamond drill was tested on this farm, and 
failed to meet the requirements. So far, oil has been 
obtained in every well drilled. The property has never 
been thoroughly tested. 

Upper McElhenny Farm .—On north side of Oil 
Creek, and on Pioneer Hun; contains 80 acres of land, 
and is in Cherry Tree township. Original Owner, 
M‘Elhenny. Present owners, Hussey & McBride, and 
Haldeman & Co., purchased in the winter of 1859 and 
1860. Bounded on the north by Foster’s farm, east 
and south by Oil Creek, west by Benninghoff, one and a 
half miles from Petroleum Centre, and same distance 
from Shaffer. Oil Creek runs northwest and west, Pio¬ 
neer Hun, south, emptying into the creek. Hoad to 
Shaffer northwest, to Petroleum Centre west. There 
are eleven producing wells on the farm, all pumping. 
Average daily product, 310 barrels. There are 47 non¬ 
producing wells. Average depth of wells, 480 feet. 
Average cost, $5,000. Commenced producing in 1862, 
and up to present time. Amount of production esti¬ 
mated at 200,000 barrels. Wells are all on the flat, and 
owned by lessees as below. Twenty-five engines, porta¬ 
ble and stationary, with ordinary machinery, on the 
farm. Depth of first sandrock, 151 feet—30 feet thick ; 
depth of second sand, 305 feet—32 feet thick; third sand, 
440 feet—2 7 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, from 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 273 


27 to 45 feet, more in middle of valley. There are two 
refineries on Pioneer Run: Great Western, capacity 
160 barrels per week; Pioneer, capacity 160 barrels. 
The hills are less abrupt, rising gradually back from 
creek, and on the lower part of Pioneer Run, with aflat 
next to Creek and mouth of Run, from 15 to 20 rods 
in width, well located for oil operations. The develop¬ 
ments are principally confined to the low-lands on the 
Creek. A large portion of the farm is yet undevelop¬ 
ed. There is a reserve of twenty acres on which there 
are five wells ; only one producing, yielding about four 
barrels per day. Farmer’s well, on the Reserve, for¬ 
merly produced forty barrels per day. The present pro¬ 
ducing wells are Mount Vernon Nos. 4, 5, and 6 ; Pioneer 
Nos. 1, 2, and 3,; Briggs, Forest City, Champion, &c. 
The Fertig well No. 1 was formerly the best well on 
this tract. Is now doing nothing. 

Caldwell Farm .—On east side of Oil Creek, Corn- 
planter township, and on Bull Run, containing 220 acres. 
Original owner, Caldwell. Present owner, Caldwell 
Oil Company, of Philadelphia. Purchased in fall of 
1864. Bounded on the north by Farrell farm, east by 
Patterson, south by Irwin & Espy, west by Oil Creek. 
Two miles from Petroleum Centre, and one mile from 
Shaffer. The bearing of Oil Creek is southwest. There 
are four producing wells, all pumping. Average daily 
product, 105 barrels. Five non-producing wells ; five in 
progress and testing. Average depth of wells, 480 feet. 
Average cost of wells, $6,000. Commenced producing 
in March and June, 1865. Amount of production, 3,000 
barrels. Wells on creek and the flat; on Bull Run, 
and on the table lands two wells, 600 feet deep. Own¬ 
ed by company and lessees. Have ten portable en¬ 
tile property. Depth of first sandrock, 165 
12 * 


gines on 


274 


PETEOLIA. 


feet—40 feet thick; second sand, 306 feet—35 feet thick ; 
third sand, 445 feet—30 feet thick. Depth of driving- 
pipe fifteen feet on flat, more on bluff. The celebrated 
Caldwell well was originally on this farm, but was sold, 
with one and a half acres of land, in the spring of 1863, 
to the Noble Well Company, for the sum of $145,000. 
It has not since been operated, the purchase having been 
a measure of protection merely, there being a connec¬ 
tion between the Caldwell and Noble wells in the crev¬ 
ices of the rocks below, that promised to interfere with 
the production. The flat is narrow, broader at lower 
end. Hills high, and difficult of access. 

Foster Farm .—On west side of Oil Creek, opposite 
Caldwell and Farrell. Is in Cherry Tree township, and 
contains — acres. Original owner J. Foster. Pres¬ 
ent owners, Irwin Petroleum Company, of Philadel¬ 
phia ; have some 25 or 30 acres, with a front upon 
the Creek of about 2,500 feet, running back over the 
hill to Pioneer Run. Owner of balance not ascertained. 
Bounded on the north by Gregg, east by Oil Creek, 
south by upper McElhenny, west by Benninghoff. Two 
miles from Petroleum Centre, and one mile from Shaffer. 
Oil Creek has a bearing southwest. Roads to Shaffer 
north, Petroleum Centre south. In May, 1862, there 
was one producing well, the Sherman, flowing an aver¬ 
age daily production of 900 barrels, and 12 non-produc¬ 
ing. Average depth of wells at that time, 470 feet. 
Cost not ascertained. Amount of production, 75,000 
barrels. Wells on the flat, bored by Sherman and 
others. The Sherman well was struck in March, 1862, 
and for some months it was one of the largest flowing 
wells on the Creek. It commenced with a flow of about 
2,00 0 barrels per day, but after a few months ran down 
to about 600 barrels. It ceased flowing in February, 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 275 

1864, since which time it has been pumping, yielding 
large quantities of oil, but is now doing nothing, hav¬ 
ing recently been burned, with all the tanks, derricks, 
engine houses, &c., around it. No producing wells on 
the farm at present time. There are fifty non-produc¬ 
ing wells, nearly all bearing the appearance of having 
been abandoned. Amount of production since May, 
1862, not ascertained. Depth of wells, 475 feet. Cost 
of wells, $6,000. Commenced producing in 1862 and 
1864. Wells on flat. Owned by various companies and 
lessees. Have five engines, portable and stationary, on 
the property. Depth of first sandrock, 140 feet—15 feet 
thick ; second sand, 294 feet—20 feet thick ; third sand, 
435 feet—30 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 50 feet 
on the creek, and 10 feet on the blufl*. 

The flat here is quite broad and very well located for 
operating. Is low and swampy, making plenty of mud 
in wet weather. The Crocker is one of the noted wells 
on this farm. It was pumped for two months on clear 
salt water. Mr. Crocker received the jeers of his neigh¬ 
bors with coolness, politely informing them that he 
thought he knew his own business. Future develop¬ 
ments proved that he did, for after pumping the time 
above specified, the water began to color with oil, and 
in a few days after was flowing at the rate of 500 barrels 
per day. But it was a short-lived well, there being so 
many wells around it, letting down the surface water, 
that it was soon flooded out. 

Here, where two years since was one of the busiest 
places on the Creek, desolation now reigns. Doubtless 
if the same energy of development prevailed in this 
locality as on the Tarr farm, a large yield of oil would 
be obtained. 

Farrel Farm .—On the east side of Oil Creek, and 


276 


PETROLIA. 


on Bull Run, contains 36 acres. Original owner, J. 
Barrel. Present owner, J. Parrel and Commonwealth 
Oil Company. The Company purchased an undivided 
half in the tract in October, 1864. Bounded on the 
north by Beaty farm, south by Irwin & Espy, west by 
Oil Creek. One mile from Shaffer, and two miles from 
Petroleum Centre. Oil Creek runs west at this point, 
Bull Run north of west, emptying into the creek. 

There is one producing well, the Norton, flowing 40 
barrels per day, and twelve non-producing, two of them 
being tested. Average depth of wells, 515 feet. Aver¬ 
age cost, $4,000. Commenced producing in 1863, 1864, 
and 1865. Estimated production from Noble & Dela- 
mater well, 1,000,000 barrels; from Craft well, 101,860 
barrels. Wells on flat and on ravine of Bull Run. 
Owned by lessees. Have six engines, portable and sta¬ 
tionary, on the property. Depth of first sandrock, 185 
feet—10 feet thick; second sand, 345 feet—10 feet thick; 
third sand, 478 feet—36 feet thick. Depth of driving- 
pipe, 31 feet. Some of the principal wells besides the 
Noble and Craft, are the Mulligan, Commercial Oil 
Company, &c. The Noble & Delamater well com¬ 
menced flowing in January, 1863, at the rate of 3,000 
barrels per day, as estimated at the time, and ceased 
the 28th day of February, 1865. This well was the 
most productive, as well as the most remunerative one 
ever struck, making its owners, in this brief time, mil¬ 
lionaires in a literal sense. The value of the product of 
this well has been variously estimated, at from two to 
Jive millions of dollars! The first investment in 
sinking the well was about $4,000. Is it any wonder 
that people became excited, and plunged into wild 
speculation, when a fact of such magnitude was appar¬ 
ent to their visual organs. This well proved to be one 
among the many, and demonstrated fully the immensity 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 277 

of the deposit that nature had hid away in the rock- 
ribbed recesses, for the use and benefit of mankind. 
The Craft well ceased from the failure of its seed-bag. 
The owners have experimented, and endeavored in 
every possible way to resuscitate it, but in vain. A sad 
accident occurred on this farm a short time previous to 
our visit. Messrs. Noble & Delamater had built a new 
office. Before it was quite finished, their book-keeper, 
James Bonner, jr., son of Rev. James Bonner, senior, 
an Episcopal clergyman of Ashtabula, Ohio, removed 
to it. Shortly afterward he was taken ill with typhoid 
fever. He soon became past all hope. On the seventh 
day of his illness the office, from some cause unknown, 
took fire, and was consumed. Young Bonner was car¬ 
ried by his father to the window, where by the help of 
those outside, placing boards from an engine house to 
the window, he was taken out; but he died in a very 
short time. His father fell by the window overcome 
with the heat and smoke, and was with difficulty rescued; 
the young man’s mother had previously made her escape 
by jumping from the window. The elder Mr. Bonner 
was seriously injured by inhaling the heated air and 
smoke. 

Beaty Farm. —On the west side of Oil Creek, and 
on Hemlock Run, in Allegheny township. Contains 
160 acres. Original owner, It. P. Beaty. Present 
owner, Clinton Oil Company, of New York. Pur¬ 
chased in 1864. Bounded on the north by Sanney, east 
by Beaty, south by Farrel, west by Oil Creek. One 
mile from Shaffer, two miles from Petroleum Centre. 
Oil Creek bears south, Hemlock Run west. There are 
two producing wells, both pumping; daily production 
50 bbls. Five non-producing wells, and three in pro¬ 
gress on the Run. Average depth of wells on Creek, 


278 


FETROLIA. 


500 feet; on the Run, 650 feet. Average cost of wells, 
$5,000. Commenced to produce in August, 1865. 
Amount of production not ascertained. Wells located 
in bluff on Creek, and on Hemlock Run. Have five 
engines, portable and stationary, on the farm. Depth 
of first sandrock, 170 feet on the Creek, and 280 feet 
on the Run—20 feet thick; second sand, 210 feet on 
Creek, 420 on Run—25 feet thick; third sand, 480 feet 
on Creek, 550 feet on Creek. [Depth of driving-pipe, 
five feet. There is but little boring territory adjoining 
the Creek. Hills high and abrupt, covered with tim¬ 
ber. Hemlock Run very narrow. 

Gregg Farm .—On the west side of Oil Creek, in 
Cherry Tree township. Contains over 300 acres. 
Original and present owner, D. Gregg. Bounded on 
the north by Sanney, east by Oil Creek, south by Fos¬ 
ter, west by Benninghoff. Half a mile from Shaffer; 
two and a half miles from Petroleum Centre. Bearing 
of Oil Creek south. Ho producing wells on the farm, 
forty non-producing. Two or three of them have 
formerly yielded some oil. Average depth, 500 feet. 
Cost not ascertained. Wells on flat. Owned by les¬ 
sees. Have ten engines and ordinary machinery on the 
farm. Depth of first sandrock, 170 feet—10 feet thick; 
second sand, 210 feet—15 feet thick; third sand not 
found. Depth of driving-pipe, 45 feet. Reported 
third sandrock found in the Aimer well, at depth of 
700 feet, ten feet thick. Two refineries on the farm— 
Victoria Oil Works, capacity 160 bbls. crude per week; 
Continental Oil Works, capacity 150 bbls. crude per 
week. There is generally a very good show of oil in 
the second sandrock. The farm has been but slightly 
productive. 

Sanney Farm. —On both sides of Oil Creek. Con- 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 279 

tains 125 acres. Original owner, Sanney. Present owners 
Potter & Nurse, the widow’s one-third, and two heirs’ 
interest; other parties the balance. Purchased in 1865. 
Bounded on the north by Shaffer, east by Tallman, south 
by Beaty and Gregg, west by Stevenson and others. Tw r o 
and a half miles from Petroleum Centre, and half a mile 
from Shaffer Station. Oil Creek has a bearing south¬ 
west and south. Road to Shaffer north, Petroleum 
Centre south. No producing wells—eleven non-pro¬ 
ducing ones, and three in progress and testing. Two 
of the wells have produced a small amount of oil. 
Average depth of wells, 500 feet. Average cost, 
$4,000. Amount of production not ascertained. Wells 
all on the flat, and owned by lessees. Have six engines, 
portable and stationary, on the farm. Depth of first 
sandrock, 170 feet—15 feet thick; second sand, 210 
feet — 15 feet thick; third sand not found. Depth 
of driving-pipe, 40 feet. Three refineries are located 
here—Continental Oil Works, capacity 150 bbls. crude 
per week; Hope Oil Works, capacity 150 bbls. per 
week—both owned by the same parties, Robison, Cone 
& Co.; Silver Rock Oil Works, 96 bbls. per week, 
Twing & Dorr, proprietors. This farm is one of the 
unproductive ones, and maybe classed as “ dry territory.” 
Hills not abrupt on east side; higher and more difficult 
of access on west side. 

Shaffer Farm. —On both sides of Oil Creek, in 
Cherry Tree and Allegheny townships. Contains 54 
acres of land. Original owner, G. Shaffer. Present 
owner not ascertained. Bounded on the north by Mil¬ 
ler and Fleming, east by Tallman, south by Sanney, 
west by Benninghoff. Six miles from Titusville, and 
fourteen from Oil City. Oil Creek bears southeast, 
south, and southwest. Road to Titusville northerly, 


2S0 


PETEOLIA. 


to Petroleum Centre southerly. Oil Creek Railroad to 
Titusville. Shaffer is the present terminus of the Oil 
Creek Railroad, and has assumed considerable import¬ 
ance as a shipping point. A little town has sprung up 
as by magic, and hotels, stores, and saloons abound. 
All this prosperity will, we think, be of brief duration. 
In a short time the Oil Creek Railroad will make its 
way down to the natural terminus of the road, Oil 
City; then the enterprising denizens of Shaffer, finding 
their occupation gone, 

“ "Will fold their tents like the Arabs, 

And silently steal away.” 

There are no producing wells on the farm at the 
present time. Twelve non-producing wells, and twelve 
more have been partially drilled and abandoned. One 
well pumping. Sherman well testing. Some of the 
wells have formerly produced — the Rangoon well, 
owned by Samuel Downer; Brewer & Watson well, 
and others. Amount of production not ascertained. 
Average depth of wells, C50 feet. Average cost, 
$5,500, except the old, partially drilled ones. Wells all 
on flat, and owned by lessees. There are six engines, 
portable and stationary, on the property. Depth of 
first sandrock, 180 feet—19 feet thick ; second sand, 230 
feet—10 feet thick; third sand not found. Depth of 
driving-pipe, 40 feet. 

The principal feature of this point is the railroad depot, 
and the thrifty town which has grown up within the past 
two years. The Oil Creek Railroad was completed to this 
place in July, 1864, running along the edge of the hills, 
and the flat, where ample landings, depot buildings, 
turnouts, &c., are constructed. The depot buildings oc¬ 
cupy the western side of the track, the landings in front 
forming an elongated semi-circle of several hundred feet 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 281 


in length, a double-track passing around it, while on the 
Creek side are a number of warehouses, There are in 
the town four first-class hotels, about a dozen stores, 
several livery stables, a large number of dwellings, one 
good school-house, post-office, &c. Boasts of a popula¬ 
tion of 1,500. Everything is new and in a crude state. 
In July, 1864, when the railroad was completed to this 
point, there was a single frame dwelling and a small 
restaurant on the banks of the Creek. The continua¬ 
tion of the O. C. RR. to Petroleum Centre is now in 
progress, the grading being nearly completed. On the 
west side of the Creek, the flat is about thirty-five rods 
wide, in the rear of which the hills rise gradually west¬ 
ward, a ravine causing a break in the hill immediately 
back of the Railroad Station. On the east side the 
hills are abrupt and high, admitting of a mere passage 
alom? the Creek bank. 

Miller Farm .—On both sides of Oil Creek and 
Hemlock Run, above Shaffer farm. In Cherry Tree 
and Allegheny townships. Contains 303 acres. Ori¬ 
ginal owner, R. Miller. Present owner, Indian Rock 
Oil Company, of New York. Purchased in the fall of 
1863. Bounded on the north by Fleming, east ky 
Fleming, south by Shaffer, west by Jameson and Howe. 
One mile from Shaffer, five from Titusville. Oil Creek 
bears south-west, south, and south-east. Road to Titus¬ 
ville northerly, to Petroleum Centre southerly. Plank 
road to Pithole southeast. Hemlock Run has a bear¬ 
ing south-east. There are no producing wells on the 
farm—fourteen non-producing ones, and six abandoned. 
Lincoln well formerly produced 60 bbls. per day; Bos¬ 
ton well, 50 bbls. Bobtail well has been a producing 
one. Amount of production, 10,000 bbls. Average 
cost of wells, $4,000. Commenced producing in 1863. 


282 


PETROLIA. 


Wells on the flat. Owned by company and lessees. 
Average depth of wells, 600 feet. Have 10 engines, 
portable and stationary, on the property. Depth of 
first sandrock, 143 feet—20 feet thick; second sand, 
290 feet—25 feet thick ; third sand not found. Depth 
of driving-pipe, 40 feet. Names of some of the wells 
as follows: Phillips, Barnsdall, Hemlock, Kerosene, Ir¬ 
rawaddy, Hoyt, Downer, New Bedford, Webb, Van 
Vleck, Railroad, &c. 

Here is the terminus of the Pithole and Miller 
Farm Transportation Company. They have tankage 
for 20,000 barrels of oil, convenient to the railroad, and 
have large platforms on which they fill the barrels by 
means of pipes from the tanks, and roll the barrels on 
the cars from platforms. The other end of their works 
are located on the Thos. Holmden farm, on Pithole 
Creek, where the oil is received in tanks from pipes 
extended from the different wells, and from barrels, 
when hauled to platforms erected for the purpose. The 
oil is taken from these tanks by force-pumps driven by 
steam engines, and forced in two-inch pipes over the 
hills, and discharged into the tanks on the Miller farm. 
Length of pipe, five and a quarter miles. Size of pipe, 
two inches. Have four ten-horse power engines. The 
first is located near the tanks on the Holmden farm, and 
forces the oil up one half mile from the tanks. The 
second engine forces it three quarters of a mile over to 
West Pithole, near the Paxton House. The third en¬ 
gine forces it up one mile further. The fourth engine 
forces the oil to the summit of the hill, from which it 
runs down to the Miller farm. Capacity of transporta¬ 
tion, 1,500 barrels per day. The Company are laying a 
second string of pipe, and adding four more engines, 
thus doubling the present capacity of their works. The 
oil is forced in a continuous stream by the action of the 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 2S3 

engines and pumps, working in concert along the whole 
line. They have a telegraph wire running along the 
whole length of the pipe, with an instrument and oper¬ 
ator at each end, that instant communication can be 
had along the whole line, and in case of any accident 
to the machinery, it can be known at once, and the 
damage repaired. Barnsdall Oil Company are on 
Shreve tract, west side of Creek, and on Hemlock Run. 
There is one refinery—Sunshine Oil Works, Geo. Bart¬ 
lett; capacity 120 bbls. crude oil per week. Hills on 
west side abrupt, high, and broken. On east side is a 
broad and flat hillside, rising gradually to the east. 
There are here two or three new hotels, several stores, 
offices, dwellings, railroad stations, &c., making the 
commencement of the new town of Meredith. They 
boast of a population of 800. The location is good, 
being on a gentle elevation of ground, facing to the 
westward. 

Fleming Farm .—On the west side of Oil Creek, in 
Cherry Tree township. Number of acres not ascer¬ 
tained. Original and present owner, -- Fleming. 

Bounded on the north by Henderson, east by Oil 
Creek, south by Miller, west by Shugert. Is one and a 
half miles from Shaffer, and four and a half from Titus¬ 
ville. Oil Creek bears south and southeast. Road to 
Titusville north, to Shaffer south ; railroad crosses on 
Creek bank. There are ten non-producing wells on the 
property, all on the flat. Owned by lessees. Have five 
engines on the farm. Depth and cost not ascertained. 
Sandrocks same as on Miller farm. One of the wells 
formerly flowed oil in considerable quantities. The 
operator thinking he could increase the production, 
drew up his tubing, changing the locality of the seed- 
bag. The result was a stoppage of the well entirely, it 



284 


PETKOLIA. 


having produced nothing since. Thus showing that it 
is better to let a well alone when it is producing in 
paying quantities. 

Jones Farm .—On east side of Oil Creek, and on 
Trout Run, in Allegheny township. Original owner, 
Widow Jones. Bounded on the north by Fleming, east 
by Cecil and others, south by Miller, west by Oil Creek. 
The Creek has a bearing south and southeast. Trout 
Run west. Fifteen non-producing wells on the farm. 
Depth and cost not ascertained. Operations have en¬ 
tirely ceased on the farm. There is ample room on the 
flat and table lands to operate upon, but this tract has 
the appearance of dry territory. 

Henderson Farm .—On the west side of Oil Creek, 
in Cherry Tree township, only one corner coming to 
Creek. Original and present owner, Henderson. 
Bounded on the north by Stackpole, east by Fleming, 
south by Fleming, west by Lacy. Creek bears southeast 
at this point. There are no developments here. Rail¬ 
road runs along the west bank of Creek, in the bluff. 
There is a point here, called “ Night Cap,” in a bend 
in the Creek and hills. Hills high and abrupt. 

Fleming Farm .—On west side of Oil Creek. Own¬ 
ed by Mrs. Fleming. Bounded on the north by Oil 
Creek, and Stackpole, east by Oil Creek, south by Oil 
Creek. Creek has a bearing here southeast, south, and 
southwest. Road to Titusville northerly, to Shaffer 
southerly. Railroad crossing. No developments. 

Stackpole Farm .—On east side qf Oil Creek, and 
on Hubbard’s Run. Original owner, J. Stackpole. 
Present owners, Henderson, Brewer, Watson & Co. 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 285 

Bounded on the north by Shreve, east by Smith, south 
by Cecil and others, west by Oil Creek. Creek bears 
southwest, Hubbard’s Run westerly. There are ten 
old nonqwoducing wells, and one engine on the prop¬ 
erty. No developments at this time. 

Shreve Farm .—On east side of Oil Creek, and on 
Shreve Run, in Allegheny township. Original owner, 
S. Shreve. Present owner, Great Western Consolidat¬ 
ed Oil Company. Bounded on the north by Potts, east 
by J. Shreve, south by Stanford, west by Oil Creek. 
Bearing of Creek southeast, Shreve Run south of 
west. All quiet. No developments. 

Pott Farm .—On east side of Oil Creek, Allegheny 
township. Owned by D. Pott. Bounded on the north 
by Stackpole, east by Shreve ABros., south by Shreve, 
west by Oil Creek. Creek has a bearing south. No 
developments on this tract. 

Stackpole Farm .—On west side of Oil Creek, in 
Cherry Tree township. Owned by Stackpole & Fletch¬ 
er. Bounded on the north by Griffin, east by Oil 
Creek, south by Henderson, west by Curry. Creek 
bears south. Oil Creek Railroad crosses. There are 
ten non-producing wells on the property. All on flats. 
Depth of sandrocks not ascertained. Have three en¬ 
gines, portable and stationary, on the farm. Two refin¬ 
eries on the property — one abandoned; the other, 
Knight, Clement & Co., not now in operation. Capacity, 
120 barrels crude per week. Flat is broad and well ad¬ 
apted for Oil operations, but is deserted at the present 
time. 

Stackpole Farm .—On east side of Oil Creek, in Al- 


286 


PETROLIA. 


legheny township. Original owner, O. Stackpole. Pres¬ 
ent owner, Northern Light Oil Company, Brewer, Wat¬ 
son & Co. Bounded on the north by Bissell & Co., east 
by Henderson, south by Pott, west by Oil Creek. 
Creek has a bearing south. Two old wells and one en¬ 
gine on the property. Nothing doing. Forsaken by 
oil operators. On the Creek at this point is the lower 
saw-mill. The dam raises the water so that it covers 
nearly the whole flat for some distance above. This is 
out of the dams which are cut in making the Pond 
Freshets. 

Bissell Farm .—On both sides of Oil Creek, in Cher¬ 
ry Tree and Allegheny townships. Owned by Geo. H. 
Bissell & Co. Bounded on the north by Conley, east 
by Henderson, south by Stackpole, west by Griffin. Oil 
Creek bears south. There are thirty-four leases laid out 
on the west side, and seventeen on the east side of 
Creek. Two old wells, non-producing, on the property. 
The flats are covered by water raised by the dam. Flat 
narrow. Hills high and abrupt on west side, more grad¬ 
ual in ascent on east side. Railroad on west side. 
Wagon road on east side. 


Conley Farm .—On east side of Oil Creek, in Al¬ 
legheny township. Owned by Conley. Bounded on 
the north by Thompson, east by Carter, south by Bis¬ 
sell & Co., west by Oil Creek and Griffin, only south¬ 
west corner coming to the Creek. Bearing of Creek 
southeast. Six old wells on the farm, none in opera¬ 
tion. Water from mill-dam forces back upon this tract. 

Griffin Farm .—On both sides of Oil Creek, in 
Cherry Tree and Allegheny townships. Original owner, 
B. Griffin. Present owners, New York and Pennsyl- 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 287 


vania Petroleum Company. Bounded on the north by 
Bissell & Co., and Lang. East by Oil Creek and Con¬ 
ley, south by Stackpole, west by Lang and others. 
Bearing of the Creek southeast. Railroad crossing on 
the Creek bank. There are three producing wells, all 
pumping, but not largely. Average depth, 600 feet. 
Average cost $5,000. Commenced producing in 1861, 
and on since. Amount of production not ascertained. 
Wells all on the flat. Have three portable engines on 
the property. Average depth of wells 600 feet. Depth 
of first sandrock, 145 feet—59 feet thick ; second sand, 
415 feet—14 feet thick ; third sand not found. Depth 
of driving-pipe, 45 feet. The Creek flats are narrow. 
Hills on west side high and abrupt; on east side more 
gradual. 

Bissell Farm .—On both sides of Oil Creek, in Cherry 
Tree and Allegheny townships. Contains eighty acres. 
Original owner, Geo. H. Bissell & Co., present owner, 
Original Petroleum Company. Bounded on the north 
by Weisman, east by Thompson, south by Griffin, west 
by Davidson. Two miles from Titusville and four from 
Shaffer. Bearing of Creek east of south. Railroad 
crossing on west side of Creek. There are six produc¬ 
ing wells on the farm, all pumping. Average daily pro¬ 
duct eighty barrels. Average depth of wells, from 200 
to 600 feet. Average cost $5,500. Commenced pro¬ 
ducing in 1861, and in July, 1865. Amount of produc¬ 
tion several thousand barrels—not fully ascertained. 
Have ten portable engines on the farm. Wells all on the 
flat. Owned by the company and lessees. Depth of 
first sandrock, 145 feet deep—20 feet thick; second 
sandrock, 415 feet—59 feet thick; third sand, 471 feet 
—14 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, nine feet on the 
Creek, 45 feet back by bluff. 


288 


PETROLIA. 


Here are about 100 of the pits, described in a former 
chapter. Oak-trees, standing in some of these, on 
being cut, show 400 rings or grains, indicating that they 
are at least 400 years old. The pits must have been 
dug sometime previous to the deposit of the acorns 
from which these trees sprang. Nor have we any 
evidence of the present being the first growth of tim¬ 
ber upon them. This point presents the most activity 
in oil operations of any farm above the MTClhenny and 
Farrel farms. 

Watson Petroleum Company .—On both sides of Oil 
Creek, next above Bissell & Co., in Cherry Tree and 
Allegheny townships. Contains thirty-six acres. Origi¬ 
nal owner, Hibbert. Present owner, Watson Petroleum 
Company. Purchased in 1864. Bounded on the north 
by Pierce & Lock, east by Thompson, south by Origin¬ 
al Petroleum Company, west by Davidson. One and a 
half miles from Titusville, four and a half miles from 
Shaffer. Bearing of Creek south. There are four non¬ 
producing wells on the farm; have formerly produced 
largely ; one well in progress. Amount of production 
not ascertained. Average depth of wells, 400 feet— 
some greater. Average cost $5,000. Commenced pro¬ 
ducing in 1859, 1861, and since. Wells on flat and 
island formed by tail-race to saw-mill. Owned by the 
company. Have three stationary engines on property. 
Depth of first sandrock, 150 feet—10 feet thick; second 
sand, 370 feet—55 feet thick; third sand, not found. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 40 to 60 feet. The wells, Drake, 
480 feet in depth; White well, 101 feet; Riley well, 
454 ; Polhemus, 545 feet. 

The Drake well was the first drilled in Venango Coun¬ 
ty. It averaged thirty-two barrels per day for over 
two years, and would produce oil at. the present time 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 289 


if operated. The engine which operates the Drake well, 
operates the Polhemus well also. The derrick and en¬ 
gine house of the Drake well unite under cover, the 
derrick being boarded up close up to the top. The his¬ 
tory of this famous well has been given in a previous 
chapter. 

Here is the location of what is called the upper 
saw-mill, just below Titusville. The owners of the mill 
have two wells drilled under the roof of their mill, both 
worked by the same power that drives the mill. The 
wells are producing some oil. Amount of production 
not ascertained. This mill dam is one that is cut in 
making the pond freshets. 

Kingsland Farm .—On both sides of Oil Creek, in 
Cherry Tree and Allegheny townships. Number of 
acres not ascertained. Original owner, Bexford Pierce. 
Present owner, Original Petroleum Company. Purchas¬ 
ed in 1864. Bounded on the north by county line and 
Watson Flats, east by Lock, south by Watson Petro¬ 
leum Company, west by Davidson. One mile from 
Titusville. Oil Creek bears south-southwest and south. 
Road to Titusville and the railroad running northerly. 
There is one producing well on the farm, yielding twelve 
barrels per day. There are ten non-producing wells, 
and four in progress. Most of the wells yield some 
oil when pumped. Amount of production not ascer¬ 
tained. Wells all on the flat. Owned by company and 
lessees. Have six engines, portable and stationary, on 
the property. Depth of.first sandrock, 150 feet—10 feet 
thick ; second sand, 370 feet—53 feet thick ; third sand- 
not found. Depth of driving-pipe, 45 feet. The flat 
begins to widen out as they extend up the Creek. Cross¬ 
ing the county line upon the Watson Flats in Crawford 
County. The hills are less abrupt than below, 
lo 


290 


PETROLIA. 


Watson Flats .—On west side of Oil Creek and op¬ 
posite the mouth of east Oil Creek, (or Pine Creek, as 
it is termed.) Contains ninety acres. Original owner, 
Jonathan Watson. Present owners, Oil Creek Petro¬ 
leum Company of New York and Pennsylvania, and 
Oil Creek Petroleum Company of Philadelphia. Pur¬ 
chased in summer of 1864. Bounded on the north 
and east, by Oil Creek, south by Kingsland. Is half 
a mile below Titusville. There is a broad flat, well 
located for oil operations. Oil Creek bears east and 
south. There are at this time six producing wells, all 
pumping—average daily production thirty barrels — 
and fifty-four non-producing wells. Average depth of 
wells, 450 to 525 feet. Average cost, $5,000 to $7,500. 
Commenced producing in 1861, and on since. Amount 
of production, upward of 73,000 barrels. Wells all on 
flat. Eight owned by companies, balance by lessees. 
Twenty engines, portable and stationary, on the proper¬ 
ty. Depth of first sandrock, 150 feet—10 feet thick; 
second sand, 365 feet—55 feet thick; third sand, not 
found. Depth of driving-pipe, 30 to 70 feet. The 
Deep, or Barren well, is 1,200 feet in depth. Its name 
gives its history. There is one well on W. Palmer’s 
Reserve, owned by the Mountain Oil Company, pro¬ 
ducing some eight barrels of oil per day. Among the 
wells which have formerly, and are now producing, are 
the Little Hope, Wood King, Continental, Kats, Baker, 
Grant, Drum,Eagle, Ingersoll,Goodrich, Augusta, Eureka, 
Ellenville, Finch, Palmer, and others. There has been 
a large amount of money expended here in developing 
this territory, and it has formerly been a point of much 
activity in the oil business. It is now very quiet. But 
few engines at work. A portion of these flats are within 
the borough limits of Titusville. Developments were 
made here in the earlier part of the oil excitement. 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 291 

Parker Farm .—On the north side of Oil Creek, 
joining and in the Borough of Titusville, in Crawford 
County. Contains about 150 acres. Original owner, 
— Parker. Present owners, Parker Farm Petroleum 
Company of Philadelphia. Purchased in 1863. Fronts 
on the Creek nearly one fourth of a mile, extending 
back across the flats. There are twelve producing wells, 
all pumping. Daily production not ascertained, nor whole 
amount. Average depth of wells, 500 feet. Average 
cost, $4,000. Commenced producing in 1861, and on 
since. Wells all on the flat. Owned by company and 
lessees. Names of some of them as follows: Bunker 
Hill Petroleum Company, Canfield & Funk, Philadel¬ 
phia Oil Company, Tremble & Phelps, Oceanic Com¬ 
pany, Artesian Company, Firth & Abbott, and others. 
Have twenty engines, portable and stationary, on the 
farm. Depth of first sandrock, 150 feet—15 feet thick; 
second sand, 365 feet—50 feet thick; third sand not 
found. The bearing of Oil Creek is south of east, and 
south. Depth of driving-pipe, 30 to 80 feet. There is 
a large scope of territory conveniently located for oil 
operations. The Bunker Hill Company have three 
wells, all worked with a large engine. Plank road to 
Pithole and road to Pleasantville pass through this farm. 
Adjacent to the road, is the refinery of II. Hinkley, 
capacity 400 barrels crude per week; and between the 
road and creek is the Parker Farm Refinery, capacity 
400 barrels crude per week. Formerly great activity 
prevailed at this point. At present, oil operations are 
limited. 

The city of Titusville has been described in a pre¬ 
vious chapter of the work. As stated, there are twelve 
refineries in the Borough limits. Two, the Hinkly and 
Parker Farm are described in account of Parker farm. 
The others are as follows: White Rose Oil Works, 


292 


PETROLIA. 


Curtiss & Co., capacity 140 barrels crude per week; 
Spring Hill Oil Works, 400 barrels; Mowbray & Co., 
300 barrels; A. A. Bennett, 120 barrels; J. Brannon, 
140 barrels; Bunker Hill, 640 barrels; Wm. Barnsdall, 
240 barrels; Crosby, Young & Co., 120 barrels; Bart¬ 
lett, 120 barrels; Rice, 120 barrels. 

Jonathan Watson, Esq., is sinking a well in the 
Borough limits which is now at a depth of 1,600 feet. 
The third sandrock has not yet been found. He pro¬ 
poses to go 2,000 feet in search of it, unless sooner 
found. At the depth of 1,500 feet, oil was brought up 
in the sand-pump. This being (in the general term 
used by oil operators) a good show. 

Passing above Titusville, there are developments at 
various points, but not of a successful character. 
Whether it is from the fact of its being outside of the 
oil basin, or from failures to strike the lucky vein, we 
leave for the theorizing of others. The explorer for 
oil has left his mark at various points all along the 
valley. From the appearance of the various localities, 
we think oil might be found. The speculative genius 
of the age has victimized not a few along the upper 
portion of Oil Creek. Tracts of land at various points 
bear the honorable name of some oil company, whose 
prospectus and stock have figured conspicuously in the 
eastern cities. Mills and mill-ponds are more frequent 
than productive oil operations. Passing Hydetown and 
its developments, we come to Clappville. Here the 
New York & Oil Creek Petroleum Company have 
some territory. Also the Sun Oil Company. Tyron- 
ville and Centreville, with some developments, are 
above. Passing on up the Creek, we find Riceville, 
Lincolnville, and other points, with here and there de¬ 
velopments, until we reach Oil Creek Lake, about 
thirty five miles above Oil City, the headwaters of the 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 293 

renowned Oil Creek, whose classic name and fame, 
coupled with Venango and Petroleum, is now known 
wherever civilization exists. 

There are about one hundred wells above Titusville, 
nearly all of them non-producing, or, more properly 
speaking, dry holes. Some oil has been found at various 
points, but not in paying quantities. What the future 
of this territory will be, time alone can solve. 

East Oil Creek, or Pine Creek, is a branch of Oil 
Creek, forming a junction with Main Oil Creek in 
Crawford County, near the Venango County line. At 
its confluence, is the John Watson farm, lying princi¬ 
pally on the north and east side of the bend of Main 
Oil Creek, as it turns from an east to a south course. 
This farm contains 200 acres, and is owned by John 
Watson. Leased in part by Erie & Allegheny Oil 
Company. Bounded on the north by ——, on the east 
by Guild, south by Oil Creek and East Branch, west 
by Parker farm, joining the Borough of Titusville. 
Oil Creek bears south, East Branch southwest. Plank 
road to Pithole crossing easterly. There are two pro¬ 
ducing wells on the farm, both pumping—daily pro¬ 
duct, five barrels—and eighteen non producing wells. 
Average depth, 500 feet. Cost of wells, $3,000. Com¬ 
menced producing in 1861 and since. But few of the 
non-producing wells have formerly produced oil. 
Amount of production not ascertained. Wells all on 
flat. Owned by company and lessees. Five engines, 
portable and stationary, on the property. Depth of 
first sandrock, 150 feet—50 feet thick; second sand, 350 
feet—25 feet thick; third sand not found. Depth of 
driving-pipe, from 50 to 80 feet on bluff*, and from 80 to 
90 feet on the flat. The flat lands at this point are 
low, and covered with hemlock and pine timber. 



294 


PETEOLIA. 


Guild Farm .—On north and west side of East Oil 
Creek. Contains 200 acres. Original owner, James O. 
Guild. Present owners, Watson & Howland, Morrill 
Petroleum Company, and others. Creek bears south 
and west. Plank road to Titusville and Pithole crosses 
the tract. There are no producing wells. Sixteen 
non-producing wells, and two in progress. Some of 
them have produced formerly. Average depth of wells, 
500 feet. One 930 feet. Cost not ascertained. Wells 
all on flat. Owned by lessees. Eight engines, portable 
and stationary, on the property. Depth of first sand- 
rock, 160 feet—13 feet thick; second sand, 440 feet— 
30 feet thick; third sand not found. Depth of driving- 
pipe, from 40 to 60 feet. Guild Island is in the Creek 
opposite, containing a few acres. The flats are broad 
and low, and were formerly covered with pine timber. 
The oil developments have caused the forest trees to 
disappear, and give place to oil well derricks and their 
machinery. 

Brewer Farm .—On east and south sides of East 
Branch, crossing on to the north side. Number of 
acres not ascertained. Original owner, Dr. Brewer. 
Present owners, Hopeman & Co., (good name for oil 
operators). There is one non-producing well, and one 
engine on the property, also a grist-mill and saw-mill. 
Depth of well, 700 feet, dry-hole. Territory has never 
been sufficiently developed to know whether it is pro¬ 
ductive or not. Bearing of Creek is south and 
west. 

There are no developments above this point of any 
account, until we reach Enterprise. The Creek makes 
a very winding way through a range of broken hills in 
a course nearly eastward for about ten miles, thence 
northerly. The external appearance of the land would 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 295 

indicate the existence of oil. A large portion of the 
territory has been taken up and put into oil stock 
companies, but the developments are yet to come. 

On the Doris farm, some fellow has been sufficiently 
courageous to erect a derrick, but his heart failed be¬ 
fore he got his engine on the ground. At Enterprise, 
there are some promising developments. Three wells 
are producing oil. Reported as producing ten to forty 
barrels per day each. They promise fair for new wells 
in a locality so far distant from other paying interests. 

On Church Run, above Titusville, the Atlantic and 
Great Western Petroleum Company have put down a 
well, which is reported to be producing fifty barrels per 
day, pumping, with a good flow of gas. From this 
point, we will pass down Oil Creek, and give the results 
of the developments on its several tributaries. 

The first of these is Bull Run, a tributary of Oil 
Creek, emptying into it on the east side, on the Farrell 
farm. 

Patterson Farm .—Above Farrell. Three pro¬ 
ducing wells, one flowing (Johnson well) thirty barrels 
per day. Two pumping, with Crocker Blowers (M’Kin- 
ney well, ninety barrels per day ; Railroad well, fifteen 
barrels per day.) Average depth of wells, 625 feet. 
Average cost, $6,000. Commenced producing in April, 
1865, and later. Amount of production not ascertained. 
Five portable engines on the property. Depth of first 
sandrock, 255 feet—20 feet thick; second sand, 415 
feet—30 feet thick; third sand, 705 feet—30 feet thick; 
fourth sand, 825 feet—40 feet thick. Depth of driv- 
ing-pipe, 30 feet. This farm lies on an average of 
125 feet above the level of the Creek. 

jS/cinner Farm .—On Bull Run, in Cornplanter 
township, containing 216 acres. Original owner, J. B. 


296 


PETJROLIA. 


Skinner. Present owner, M. C. Egbert. Purchased in 
February, 1805. There are three producing wells, all 
pumping. One forty-five, the others fifteen barrels each 
daily. Average daily product, seventy-five barrels. 
Depth of wells, '700 to 800 feet. Cost of wells, $8,000. 
Commenced producing in June, 1805, and later. 
Amount of production not ascertained. Wells all on 
hill. Owned by Dr. Egbert and lessees. Seven port¬ 
able engines on the property. Four wells in progress. 
Depth of first sandrock, 30 feet—20 feet thick; second 
sand, 280 feet—25 feet thick ; third sand, 440 feet—30 
feet thick; fourth sand, *730 feet—30 feet thick; fifth 
sand, 850 feet—40 feet thick. This firm lies on the 
hill or dividing ridge, between Oil Creek and the head¬ 
waters of Cherry Run. Well No. 109 is 370 feet above 
the level of Oil Creek, 860 feet deep, and is producing 
fifteen barrels per day. No. 5 is 270 feet above the 
level of the Creek, 760 feet deep, and is producing 
forty-five barrels per day. No. 4 is 270 feet above the 
level of Oil Creek, producing fifteen barrels per day. 
One well, drilling 350 feet above level of Creek, has 
a good show of oil at 330 feet from the surface, and 
gas in considerable quantities. 

JBenninghoff Run. —Beginning at the mouth, the terri¬ 
tory formerly belonged to G. W. M’Clintock. In 1861, 
he sold off the land immediately on the Run, reaching 
from the west side at the brow of the hill across the 
valley of the Run, and over the narrow ridge, between 
the Run and Oil Creek. It was sold in tracts ten rods 
wide, embracing two acres at the mouth; wider as the 
Run ascends. 

The first is Bartlett & Newton. One refinery, capa¬ 
city 160 bbls. crude per week. Four non-producing 
wells. Average depth, 500 feet. Second, Col. Cham- 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 297 

bers, two acres, with two non-producing wells. Third, 
Lesler & Co., two acres, three non-producing wells— 
have formerly produced some oil. Average depth, 600 
feet; Sandrocks same as on M’Clintock farm. Fourth, 
Thorn & Prindle, two and a half acres; two non-pro¬ 
ducing wells; one refinery, capacity 120 bbls. crude per 
week. Fifth and sixth, two and a half acres each; two 
non-producing wells, and one old abandoned refinery; 
owners not ascertained. Seventh, Cornwall Oil Com¬ 
pany, four and a half acres ; three non-producing wells, 
and one in progress on hillside. Average depth, 550 
feet. Depth of first sandrock, 225 feet— 25 feet thick; 
second sand, 360 feet— 20 feet thick; third sand, 485 
feet— 50 feet thick. One well formerly produced ten 
barrels per day. Eighth, A. G. Wilcox & Co., four and 
a half acres; no wells; one refinery, Rock Spring, ca¬ 
pacity 120 bbls. crude per week. Ninth, Orris, Hall, and 
others, one w r ell in progress on Run, one producing on 
Creek; have four and a half acres. E. Olmsted, four 
and a half acres ; two non-producing wells. One refin¬ 
ery, Olmsted Oil Works, capacity 120 bbls. crude per 
week. There is a large iron tank near the refinery, con¬ 
structed for the use of the same. It has never been 
used. The lot is called Iron Tank lot. This tract is the 
first above the line of the M’Clintock farm, embracing 
the valley of the Run and the hillsides. Next comes 
the Brewer Wilson tract, now Benninghoff Petro¬ 
leum Company, eleven acres, no wells. Next is the Titus 
and Drysdell tract, 13 acres, three of which are now own¬ 
ed by Newton & Clark, with one refinery; capacity 160 
bbls. crude per week. Two wells on the tract of Titus & 
Drysdell, one non-producing, and one in progress. 

At the mouth of Tarr Run, on a tract of three acres 
belonging to Titus & Drysdell, there are two producing 
wells, one flowing, the other pumping; daily product, 
13 * 


298 


PETEOLIA. 


each 50 and 25,total 75 barrels. Commenced producing in 
spring of 1864. Amount of production not ascertained. 
There are four non-producing wells. The valley of the 
Run will average about fifteen rods in width. At the 
mouth of Tarr Run it is broader. Hills high, and in 
many parts rugged. 

Warner Farm .—On Benninghoff Run, both sides, at 
and above the mouth of Tarr Run, in Cherry Tree 
township, containing thirty-seven acres. Original own¬ 
er, George Warner; present owner, Benninghoff Petro¬ 
leum Company, of New York. Purchased in Septem¬ 
ber, 1864. One mile from Oil Creek, which is reached 
by wagon road and horse railroad. There are fifteen 
producing wells—twelve flowing and three pumping; 
three non-producing, and ten in progress. Amount 
flowed, pumped, or shipped, not ascertained. (Suj^erin- 
tendent refused to tell, saying that was the Company’s 
private business, &c.) Average depth of wells, 600 
feet. Average cost, $4,500. Commenced producing 
March 22d, 1865. Wells on flat and hill-side. Three 
owned by company, balance by lessees. Twenty en¬ 
gines, portable and stationary, on the propert y. Depth 
of first sandrock, 270 feet—20 feet thick; second sand, 
380 feet— : in shells and irregular; third sand, 525 feet 
—54 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 15 feet on flat 
and 27 feet on the bluff. The producing wells are the 
Coddington, 80 bbls.; Haskins, 105; Getty, 250; 
Clark, 240 ; Beach, 80; Lady Harmon, 70; Western 
Union Telegraph, 280 ; Rencie, 200; California, 60; 
Philadelphia, 100; Bodine, 40; Spence, 180; Story, 
60; No. 19, 40 bbls.; No. 18, 10 ; No. 15, 15 ; No. 16, 
4 bbls. The reported daily production making a total 
of 1,721 bbls., which we think is an over-estimate. This 
is a very busy point, and any of the producing wells 
hereabouts we should consider very desirable property, 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 299 


T Veiss Farm .—Next above Warner. Owned bv 
Cornwall Company. Contains from 80 to 100 acres. 
Some five or six wells drilled. All non-producing. 
Next above is the Widow Foster farm, M’Corns, 
owner; twelve acres; three wells drilled, all non-pro¬ 
ducing. Next is Martin Benningholf farm, owned by 
Benninghoflf Petroleum Company and Martin Benning- 
lioff Petroleum Company. Two wells—one pumping, 
but producing nothing to pay expenses of working ; the 
other blowing large quantities of gas, and about four 
bbls. of oil per day. Hills are very broken, and rise 
more gradually from the valley. 

Wild Cat IIollow .— Widow Stevenson Farm .—On 
west side of Wild Cat Hollow. Original owner, Widow 
Stevenson. Present owner of thirteen acres, Petroleum 
Centre Company, of Philadelphia. Purchased in spring 
of 18G4. There are five producing wells, all pumping; 
daily production, 25 bbls. per day. There are four non¬ 
producing wells. Total amount of production not 
ascertained. Average depth of wells, 550 feet. Cost, 
$4,000. Wells all on the flat. Owned by lessees. Six 
portable and stationary engines on the property. 
Depth of first sandrock, 200 feet—20 feet thick; second 
sand, 380 feet—30 feet thick; third sand, 480 feet—25 
feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 70 feet. The Cold- 
water Oil Company have eight leases immediately on 
the Run, from the mouth up, on which there are six 
wells, at the average de£>th of 550 feet; none of them 
producing, from not being operated. 

M’Calmont tract,on north-west side of Wild Cat Hol¬ 
low, containing thirty-six acres. Original owner, Judge 
M’Calmont. Present owners, Knox & Co. Purchased 
in 18G4. There are four producing wells, one flowing 
3 bbls. and three producing 6, 6, 15 bbls. each. Daily 


300 


PETEOLIA. 


production, 30 bbls. Ten non-producing wells, and two in 
progress. Average depth, 550 feet. Cost $5,000. Com¬ 
menced producing in 1864-5. Amount of production not 
ascertained. Wells on flat and hillside. Owned by lessees. 
Ten engines, j>ortable and stationary, on the property. 
Depth of first sandrock, 195 feet—20 feet thick; second 
sand, 245 feet, 30 feet thick; third sand, 480 feet—50 feet 
thick. Depth of driving-pipe, *70 feet on the flat, and 40 
feet on the bluff. Names of some of the wells: Bradbury 
well, Wild Cat well, Forrest well, Parmer well. 

WyJcle Run .—This is a small stream emptying into 
Cherry Tree Run, a short distance from its confluence 
with Oil Creek, on the Rynd Farm. The Hap farm 
and Gibson farm are on this Run, above Rynd farm. 
Is one mile from Oil Creek. The Run bears south-east. 
There are eight non-producing wells on these tracts. 
Average depth, from 500 to 700 feet. Cost not ascer¬ 
tained. Wells principally on flats. Owned by a Phila¬ 
delphia Company, and lessees. Four portable engines 
on the property. Depth of first sandrock, 170 feet—30 
feet thick; second sand, 350 leet—30 feet thick; third 
sand, 475 feet—25 feet thick. The valley is about ten 
rods wide. Hills gently elevating, and not very high. 
There is some good operating territory on this Run, 
but the w r ells thus far have proved non-producing. 
The Whiting well blowed strongly with gas—could be 
heard a considerable distance—it was all gas and no 
oil. The Paxton Petroleum Company drilled one dry 
hole on this territory. At the mouth of the Run there 
are hotels, stores, saloons, &c., the beginning of a small 
town. 

Cherry Tree Run .—A tributary of Oil Creek, empty¬ 
ing in from the west side, on Rynd farm, four miles 
from Oil City. 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 301 


Tarr Farm .—First above Rynd, in Cornplanter 
township, containing twenty-five acres. Original owner, 
George Tarr. Present owner not ascertained. Seven 
acres leased to Barnes. Bounded on the north by 
Ward, east by Blood, south by Rynd, west by Gibson. 
One and a half miles from Rouseville. The Run has a 
bearing east of south. Road to Cherry Tree north, to 
Rouseville south. Two non-producing wells. Have 
produced formerly a small amount of oil, and are from 
500 to 750 feet deep. Average cost, 85,000. Are on 
the flat. One portable engine on the property. Depth 
of first sandrock, 240 feet—20 feet thick; second sand, 
372 feet deep—12 feet thick; third sand, 500 feet—22 
feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 14 feet. The valley 
of Cherry Tree Run will average about twenty-five rods 
in width. The hills in some portions of it are very high 
and steep, but generally have a gradual elevation, the 
stream crossing the valley many times from side to side 
on its winding way. 

Ward Farm .—On Cherry Tree Run, in Cornplanter 
township, containing twenty-two acres. Original owner, 
Robt. Ward. Present owner not ascertained. Bounded 
on the north by Boyd, east by Blood, south by Geo. 
Tarr, west by Gibson. One and a half miles from Rouse¬ 
ville, five miles from Cherry Tree. General bearing 
of Run, south. There are three non-producing wells, 
averaging in depth froom 600 to 758 feet. Average 
cost, $5,000. Wells on flat. Have two portable engines 
on property. Depth of first sandrock, 243 feet—40 
feet thick ; second sand, 385 feet—35 feet thick-; third 
sand, 525 feet—25 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 
12 feet. Flat about twenty-five rods in width. Hills 
steep. Developments not very healthy or encouraging 
to owners. 


302 


PETROLIA. 


JBoydFarm .—On Cherry Tree Run, in Cornplanter 
township, containing thirty acres. Original owner, J. 
R. Newman; present owners, Kingston & Randolph 
Petroleum Company, and Plymouth Rock Oil Com¬ 
pany. Purchased in 1864. Five acres by Plymouth 
Rock Oil Company, and ten acres by Kingston and Ran¬ 
dolph Oil Company. Bounded on the north by Newman, 
east by Pearson & Ray, south by Tarr, west by Gibson. 
Two miles from Rouseville, four and a half from Cherry 
Tree. Roads to Cherry Tree and Rouseville. Three 
non-producing wells ; one owned by K. & R. Company, 
other by P. R. Oil Company. Depth of wells, 550 to 
666 feet. Average cost, $6,000. Wells on flat. Two 
portable engines on property. Depth of first sandrock, 
390 feet—40 feet thick; second sand, 465 feet—35 feet 
thick; third sand, 628 feet—25 feet thick. Depth of 
driving-pipe, six and half feet. There is a difference in the 
drillers’ report of sandrocks from those above or below, 
each claiming to be right. At 250 feet they found sand 
and slate, which is probably the first sand. Ten acres 
of the tract belong to some parties whose names we 
failed to ascertain. One well, non-producing. No one 
on the premises to get items from. 

Brown Farm .—On Cherry Tree Run, in Cornplant¬ 
er township, containing 22 acres. Original owner,- 

Brown. Present owner, Metropolitan Oil Company, of 
New York. Bounded on the north by Brown, east by 
Pearson & Ray, south by Ward, west by McElvane. 
Two and a half miles from Rouseville, four from Cherry 
Tree. The Run bears south and east of south. Road 
to Cherry Tree north, to Creek south. One well will 
produce six barrels per day when worked. Has produc¬ 
ed 300 barrels. Depth of well, 600 feet. Cost, $6,000. 
Commenced producing in 1865. Well on flat, and own- 



LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 303 

ed by company. One portable engine on the property. 
Depth of first sandrock, 248 feet—43 feet thick ; second 
sand, 405 feet—22 feet thick ; third sand, 537 feet—20 
feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 12 feet. The Sen¬ 
eca Oil Company have one well on a three acre reser¬ 
vation on this lot. Drilled by water power. Is one of 
the unprofitable investments. 

Sutley Farm .—On Cherry Tree Run, two and three 
quarter miles from Rouseville, and three and three 
quarter miles from Cherry Tree, in Cornplanter town¬ 
ship, containing 75 acres. Bounded on the north by 
Black, east by Pearson & Ray, south by Newman. 
There is one producing well, pumping twelve barrels 
per day. One non-producing well. Depth 590 to 655 
feet. Average cost, $6,000. Commenced producing in 
July, 1865. Are on the flat, and owned by the com¬ 
pany. Have one engine. Depth of first sandrock, 265 
feet—40 feet thick; second sand, 407 feet—22 feet thick; 
third sand, 573 feet—20 feet thick. Depth of driving- 
pipe, 17 feet. The flat is broader than below. Hills on 
a gentle slope. The producing well shows there is 
oil here, although not in paying quantities, so far as 
developments have gone. 

Black Farm .—On Cherry Tree Run, in Cornplanter 

township, contains — acres. Original owner,- 

Black. Present owners, Big Tank Oil Company, on east 
side; and Pennsylvania Oil Company, on the west side. 
Bounded on the north by Dempsey, south by Brown, 
east by Sutley, west by Elvane. Bearing of the Run 
at this point is east of south. Road to Cherry Tree, 
north, to Rouseville east of south. There are two non¬ 
producing wells, and twelve in progress, but all quiet 
now. Depth of the wells drilled, one is 600 feet, the 



304 


PETROLIA. 


other 700. Average cost, $(3,000. Wells are on the flat. 
Owned by company and lessees. Have five engines, 
portable and stationary, on the property. Depth of 
first sandrock, 265 feet—40 feet thick ; second sand, 407 
feet—22 feet thick ; third sand, 575 feet—20 feet thick; 
fourth sand, 700 feet—10 feet thick. Depth of driving 
pipe, 10 feet. The 700 feet well made a fine show 
when first tested. Broke the sucker-rods after pump¬ 
ing half an hour. Has not been tested any since. 

Dempsey Farm .—On Cherry Tree and Cain’s or Lit¬ 
tle Cherry Run, in Cornplanter township, containing 160 
acres. Owned by T. Dempsey. Leased to different 
parties. Bounded on the north by Baney & Lichten- 
thaler, east by Thomas Tarr, south by Black, west by 
Mallory. Three and a half miles from Rouseville, and 
three and a half from Cherry Tree. Bearing of Cherry 
Tree Run, south, of Little Cherry Run, east. Roads 
to Cherry Tree and Oil Creek. There are two produ¬ 
cing wells, pumping each three and four barrels daily, 
six non-producing, and twenty in progress ; operations 
having been commenced on this extensive scale, but 
suspended apparently for want of confidence on the 
part of those interested. Average depth of wells drilled 
600 feet. Average cost, $6,000. Commenced pro¬ 
ducing in 1865. Amount of production not ascertained. 
Wells on flat and owned by lessees. Ten engines on the 
property. Depth of first sandrock, 284 feet—20 feet 
thick ; second sand, 450 feet—22 feet thick ; third sand, 
573 feet—32 feet thick. Depth of driving pipe, 10 feet. 

Mallory Farm .—On Cain’s, or Little Cherry Run, 
above Dempsey farm, there are four wells drilled, all 
non-producing, and twenty more commenced. On next 
farm above, Chichester & Co. have one well, over 1,000 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 305 

feet in depth ; Clark & Co., one 800 feet. There are 
also five more wells drilled 600 feet, all dry holes. 
Comment, under the circumstances, would be superflu¬ 
ous. Average cost of wells, $6,000 to $8,000. 

Baney Farm .—On Cherry Tree Run, in Cornplant- 
er township, containing 125 acres. Original owner, — 
—Baney. Present owners, Day Co., of New York, 
and others. Purchased in 1865. Bounded on the north 
by Pierson, east by Stevenson and Lichtenthaler, south 
by Dempsey, west by Mallory. Four and a half miles 
from Rouseville and two and a half from Cherry Tree. 
The Run bears in a southeast course. On this farm is 
one producing well, the Williams, pumping five barrels 
per day, and four non-producing. Average depth, 600 
feet. Cost of wells, $5,000. Commenced producing in 
1865. Wells on the flat and owned by lessees. Three 
portable engines on the property. Depth of first sand- 
rock, 285 feet—20 feet thick; second sand, 450 feet—22 
feet thick; third sand, 575 feet—32 feet thick. Depth 
of driving pipe, twelve feet. There are thirty-five leases 
on the Creek, mostly on the east side—a small tract 
sold in fee on lower end and adjoining the leases. The 
valley here is broad, affording a fine field for oil oper¬ 
ations, but has been very slightly tested. 

Pierson Fai'm ,.—On Cherry Tree Run, in Complan ti¬ 
er township. Number of acres not ascertained. Orig¬ 
inal owner, J. Pierson. Present owner, M’Clintock- 
ville and Cherry Tree Run Petroleum Company. 
Bounded on the north by Reed & Kilgore, east by Ste¬ 
venson, south by Baney, west by Chambers. Five miles 
from Rouseville, and one and a half from Cherry Tree. 
There are two non-producing and four wells in progress 
on the farm. One of the wells is testing. Depth of 


306 


PETEOLIA. 


wells, 485 to 736 feet. Average cost, $5,000. Located 
on the flat. Two portable engines on the property. 
Depth of first sandroek, 290 feet—35 feet thick; second 
sand, 450 feet—35 feet thick; third sand, 595 feet—25 feet 
thick. Depth of driving pipe, 15 feet. The flat is broad. 
Hills gently undulating. Oil has not yet been found in 
paying quantities. Developments are meagre, not suf¬ 
ficient to test the territory. Above this tract is a strip 
of undeveloped territory. Adjoining and above this is 
the Stewart farm, containing 230 acres, owned formerly 
by J. B. and J. Stewart. Present owners, Claremont 
Oil Company of Baltimore, and Potomac Oil Company 
of Washington. Purchased in the spring of 1864. 
One mile from Cherry Tree and five miles from Oil 
Creek. Bounded on the north by Drake & Irwin, east 
by Chambers, south by Pierson, west by J. Stewart. 
Bearing of the Run is south. Roads to Cherry Tree, 
and Oil Creek. There are four non-producing wells, 
two to each company—two of them testing. Average 
depth 828 feet. Average cost, $6,000. Wells located 
on flat and hill-side, one nearly on the top, on east side 
of Run. Owned by the companies. Four portable en¬ 
gines on the property. Depth of first sandroek, 330 feet 
—30 feet thick; second sand, 435 feet—40 feet thick ; 
third sand, 725 feet—17 feet thick. This record is of the 
well on the hill. The difference of depth is the differ¬ 
ence of elevation. Depth of driving pipe, seven feet on 
the hill; 54 on the flat. This territory has been but 
slightly developed, and is covered with heavy timber on 
flat and hill sides. 

Irwin Farm .—On Cherry Tree Run, in Cherry Tree 
township, containing 119 acres. Original owner, S. N. 
Irwin. Present owner, Dervan Oil Company of Chica¬ 
go. Purchased in spring of 1865. Bounded on the 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 307 

north by Disile, east by Stewart, south by Stewart, w T est 
by Tarr. Six miles from Oil Creek. There are two 
non-producing wells on the farm. Both were tested at 
a depth of COO feet. Are now drilling them deeper 
under a contract for a depth of 1,000 feet. Average 
cost of wells so far, $7,000. Wells located on the flat 
and owned by the Company. Depth of first sandrock, 
340 feet—45 feet thick; second sand, 590 feet—25 feet 
thick; third sand, 750 feet—30 feet thick. Depth of 
driving-pipe, 17 feet on the east side of the Run, and 
45 feet on the west side. We here found the most, 
complete record of the rocks drilled through, yet met 
with. The driller has boards prepared by boring one- 
inch holes into them in rows, has his boards or planks 
about eighteen inches wide and two and a half feet thick 
fitted into a box to receive it,—has some of the drill¬ 
ings taken out after each reaming, washed and put into 
these holes, thus forming a complete record of the rocks, 
showing all the various grades and colors, from the sur¬ 
face, down. The holes are all numbered and filled in 
regular rotation. On the lower part of this tract is a 
custom grist mill, with the necessary buildings about it. 

Above, this point we come to the village of Cherry 
Tree. There are three or four wells drilled in and 
around the village, all non-producing. Above the 
village are a few wells drilled, of the same sort, dame 
Nature, seemingly turning aside from this locality with 
her supply of oleaginous fluid. This has not partaken 
of the fell spirit of speculation that has visited some of 
its neighbors.. It is located principally in the valley. 
There are a few fine dwellings, and a church on the hill, 
as well as the requisite buildings for its population and 
business. It is an old town, and bears the marks of age. 
No developments worthy of notice above this point. 


308 


PETROLIA. 


Cheery Run. 


Cherry Run is one of the main tributaries of Oil 
Creek, and forms a junction with the same at Rouse- 
ville. 

John J\T Clintock Farm .—On both sides of Cherry 
Run, in Cornplanter township, containing 138 acres. In 
1859 this tract was sold by Mr. M’Clintock to New* 
York parties by the name of Curtiss, Macumber, and 
others. In April, 1864, these parties sold one-half the 
tract to the Brevoort Petroleum Company of New 
York, and stocked the other half in the Union Petro¬ 
leum Company of New York, dividing the tract diag¬ 
onally across the centre from corner to corner. Half 
a mile from Rouseville, three miles from Plumer. 
General bearing of the Run is southwest. Road to 
Rouseville southwest, to Plumer, northeast. Bounded 
on the north by J. Rynd, east by Knapp, south by 
Buchanan, west by J. M’Clintock. 

The Union Petroleum Company have the south-west¬ 
ern half, and have eighteen producing wells, three flow¬ 
ing and fifteen pumping, with an average daily product 
of 120 barrels. Three non-producing wells, and six in 
progress. Average depth of w’ells, 610 feet. Average 
cost $6,000. Commenced producing in June, 1864. 
Amount of production over 15,000 barrels. Wells lo¬ 
cated on flat and hill-side. Owned by the Company, in 
fee, and by lessees, for a royalty of one-half the oil. Have 
twenty-one engines, portable and stationary, on the 
property. The Union Petroleum Company organized 
with a capital stock of $125,000. In June, 1864, they 
declared a dividend of sixty per cent, and expended as 
much more. 

The Brevoort Oil Company own the north-eastern 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 309 


half, and have nine producing wells, one flowing and 
eight pumping, with an average production of 190 bar¬ 
rels, per day. Two non-producing wells, and six in 
progress. Average depth of wells, 594 feet. Average 
cost, 86,000. Commenced producing in 1865. Amount 
of production 14,560 barrels. Wells located on the flat 
and hill-side. Wells owned by Company in fee, and by 
lessees for one-half royalty, after paying a heavy bonus. 
The Company have received bonus on eight three-quar¬ 
ter acre leases, $80,000, and one-half the oil. Fourteen 
engines, portable and stationary, on the property. 
Sandrocks, on this and the Union tract, are as follows; 
Depth of first sandrock, 240 feet on flat, and 311 feet on 
bluff—30 feet thick ; second sand, on flat, 370 feet—on 
bluff, 453 feet—20 feet thick; third sand, on flat, 535 
feet, on bluff, 600 feet—25 feet thick. Depth of driv¬ 
ing pipe, 13 feet on the flat, and 25 feet on hill. The 
rocks are very near on a level on the flat and hill, the 
difference in depth being the difference in the elevation. 
The Brevoort Oil Company organized with a capital 
stock of $500,000. Have been expending about $15,000 
per month. Are now paying monthly dividends on the 
capital stock of two and a half per cent. A small run and 
ravine cross the tract, and empties into Cherry Run, on 
the south east side, called Brevoort Run. 

Knapp Farm .—On Brevoort Run, about Brevoort 
Company’s tract, in Cornplanter township, containing 

fifty acres. Original owner,-Knapp. Present 

owner St. Nicholas Oil Company of Philadelphia, pur¬ 
chased in 1864. Bounded on the north by Cherry Run 
Petroleum Company, east by Balliett & Co., sofrth by 
Tolls, west by Brevoort. One mile from Rouseville, 
two and a half from Plumer. Bearing of the Run is 
west. There are three producing wells, all pumping, 



310 


PETROLIA. 


with a daily average of fifty barrels, twelve wells in pro¬ 
gress, and twenty-five more leases taken to operate 
upon. Average depth of wells, 760 feet. Cost of wells, 
$6,000. Commenced producing in September, and 
November, 1865. Amount of production 900 barrels. 
Wells located on ravine, and owned by lessees. Twelve 
engines, portable and stationary, on the property. Depth 
of first sandrock, 730 feet—39 feet thick; second sand, 565 
feet—41 feet thick ; third sand, 730 feet—25 feet thick. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 20 feet. This tract is estimated 
to be 150 feet above the level of Cherry Run. 

Tolls Farm .—On Brevoort Run, in Cornplanter 
township, containing eighty-seven and a half acres. 

Original owner-Tolls. Present owner, Murray 

Oil Company. Bounded on the north by Cherry Run 
Petroleum Company, east by Balliett and Tolls, west 
by St. Nicholas Company. Two and a half miles from 
Plumer, and two from Rouseville. There is one pro¬ 
ducing well, pumping very little, and twelve in pro¬ 
gress. Average depth, 800 feet. Cost of well, $7,000. 
Wells located on Ravine flats. Estimated to be 200 
feet above the level of Cherry Run. Owned by lessees. 
Eight portable engines on the property. Depth of first 
sandrock, 450 feet—39 feet thick ; second sand, 600 feet- 
41 feet thick ; third sand, 730 feet—25 feet thick. Depth 
of driving-pipe, 20 feet. 

Tract from JRijncl Farm .—On Cherry Run, in Corn 
planter township, containing five acres. Originally 
owned by John Rynd. Purchased from him by Mr. 
Duff, and afterwards Mr. R. Criswell purchased two 
acres and eight perches. Present owners of Criswell 
tract Mingo Oil Company of Philadelphia, and Wads¬ 
worth and Wynkoop. One and a quarter miles from 



LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 311 


Rouseville, and two miles from Plumer. There are on 
this tract nine producing wells, all pumping, producing 
200 barrels per day. Five non-producing wells and six 
in progress. Total amount of production not ascertain¬ 
ed. Average depth of wells GOO feet. Average cost, 
$6,000. Commenced producing in 1862 and 1864. 
Wells located on flat and hill-side, owned by lessees. 
Known as Reed wells, Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4. Criswell 
wells, Nos. 1 and 2, Phillips and Egbert, mountain well, 
Bradly, Moore, Coyle, Sweeny and McCauley. Fifteen 
engines, portable and stationary, on the property. 
Depth of first sandrock, 240 feet—35 feet thick ; second 
sand, 365 feet—25 feet thick ; third sand, 550 feet—25 
feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 12 feet on flat, and 
28 feet on hill-side. The old Reed well is pumping 
about twenty barrels per day, Mountain well very lit¬ 
tle, Criswell wells, lightly. Reed well, No. 4, is pump¬ 
ing very well. 

This tract has been highly productive. The Reed 
wells, four in number, all located on a single acre, pro¬ 
duced upwards of 100,000 barrels of oil. The old Reed 
well was struck July 18th, 1864, commencing with a 
production of 280 barrels per day, by flowing. As be¬ 
fore stated, R. Criswell owned some two acres here. 
The purchase w T as made in the first years of Petroleum 
development. Mr. Criswell drilled one well on his prop¬ 
erty to a depth of about 700 feet. This w T ell only 
produced by pumping three or four barrels per day. In 
the days of cheap oil, this amount of production only 
served to impoverish the operator. After struggling 
along for several years, Mr. Criswell joined Mr. Wm. 
Reed who owned an interest near by, in sinking the 
Reed well. During its progress, Mr. I. N. Frazer took 
an interest in it. After the well had been sunk to the 
proper depth, the appearances were not very favorable. 


312 


PETROLIA. 


After several days had been spent in testing it, the well 
commenced to flow at the rate stated above, and con¬ 
tinued to produce for several years. Mr. Criswell sold 
his interest—one-fourth of the land, soon after the well 
was struck, to the Mingo Oil Company of Philadelphia, 
for $280,000, having previously realized about $30,000 
from the oil produced by the well. After realizing 
about $75,000 from the well, Mr. Wm. Reed sold his 
one-half interest of all the oil, to Bishop, Bissell A; Co., 
for $200,000. The interest of Mr. Frazer, consisting of 
one-fourth in original tract, or one-third of the working 
interest of the well, was sold about the same time to 
other parties, for $100,000, making a total cash income 
realized by the fortunate owners, of $685,000, in a few 
months after its commencement. The purchasers, it is 
fair to presume, realized handsomely on their first invest¬ 
ment. The Reed well was a “ fat thing ” even in the 
land of Oildom. 

Part of Pynd Farm .—On Cherry Run, in Corn- 
planter township, containing 36 acres. Original owner, 
J. Rynd. Present owners, Curtin Oil Company,five- 
eighths; Johnson, one-eighth; North American Petro¬ 
leum Company, two-eighths: purchased in June, 1864. 
Bounded on the north by Blood, east by Smith, south 
by Brevoort, west by Rynd. One and a half miles from 
Rouseville, and two miles from Plumer. Bearing of 
Cherry Run, southwest. Road to Plumer northeast, to 
Rouseville southwest. Twenty-one producing wells on 
tract, six flowing and fourteen pumping. Daily product 
200 barrels. Six non-producing wells, and seven in pro¬ 
gress. Have produced over 30,000 barrels. Average 
depth of wells 600 feet. Average cost $6,000. Commenced 
producing in 1864 and 1865. Wells located on flat 
and bluff. One on top of hill, 746 feet in depth, flowing 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 313 

75 barrels per day. Owned by lessees. Twenty-five en¬ 
gines, portable and stationary, on the property. Depth 
of first sandrock on the flat, 245 feet; on the bluff 430 
feet—39 feet thick; second sand, on flat 390 feet; on 
bluff 565 feet—41 feet thick ; third sand on flat 530 feet; 
on bluff 710 feet—36 feet thick. Depth of driving pipe, 
18 feet on the flat, and 25 feet on the bluff. Hill high 
and abrupt. 

Smith Farm. -On Cherry Run, in Cornplanter 

township, one and a half miles from Rouseville, and two 
miles from Plumer. Contains 57 acres. Original own- 
er, Wm. Smith. Present owners, Cherry Run Petro¬ 
leum Company of Connecticut. Purchased in 1863. 
Bounded on the north by Blood, east by Cherry Run 
Petroleum Company, south by Brevoort Oil Company, 
west by Curtin Oil Company. Bearing of Cherry Run 
southwest. Roads to Plumer and Rouseville, and rail¬ 
road from Rouseville to Plumer passing through prop¬ 
erty. There are twenty producing wells on the farm, 
seven flowing and thirteen pumping. Average daily 
product 300 barrels. There are seven non-producing 
wells, and thirteen in progress. Have produced over 
150,000 barrels. Average depth of wells, 600 feet. 
Average cost of wells, $7,000. Commenced producing 
in 1864 and 1865. Wells located on flat and bluff, and 
owned by lessees. Known in part as follows : Yankee 
well, Gruninger, No. 11; S. S. Watkins, Fry, No. 34 ; No. 
47, Auburn well, Bradley, Weaver, Hathaway, Wade ; 
Faunce & Auburn well, Mackie well, &c. Thirty-five 
engines, portable and stationary, on the property. Depth 
of first sandrock, 270 feet—40 feet thick; second sand, 
405 feet—40 feet thick ; third sand, 550 feet—40 feet 
thick. Depth of driving pipe, 10 feet on the flat, and 
20 feet on the bluff, varying according to elevation. 

14 


314 : 


PETROLIA. 


This has been one of the best tracts for oil production 
of its size in the oil region. Royalty one-half the oil. 
Average bonus on leases, $4,000 each. Several of the 
former producing wells are now doing nothing. The 
old Wade well, which flowed very largely for sometime 
and then ceased, had a set of tools in the bottom. After 
it had ceased flowing, efforts were made to extricate 
them, but without success. A new well was drilled 
three feet from the old one, and is pumping about ten 
barrels per day. This is fair evidence that they are not 
both on the same vein. The working interest of the old 
Wade well, flowing about 100 barrels per day, was sold 
to a New York party for $300,000 cash. 

This farm was purchased in 1858 by Mr. Smith from 
H. M’Clintock, for a yoke of oxen. Mr. Smith sold it 
in 1862, for $1,000. The present owners paid $6,500 
for it. The farm has since been valued at several mil¬ 
lions of dollars. Such are the chances in this favored 
land of oil. What one loses another gains. 

Cherry Run Petroleum Company of Philadelphia 
Lands .—On Cherry Run, in Cornplanter township. 
Contains 401 acres of land. Is two miles from Rouse- 
ville, and one mile from Plumer. Original owners, John 
M’Fate, Joseph M’Fate, and D. B. Knapp. Present 
owners, Cherry Run Petroleum Company of Philadel¬ 
phia. Purchased in 1863. Bounded on the north by 
Russell and M’Fate, east by Seymour, south by Murray 
and St. Nicholas Oil Companies, west by Smith and 
Blood. Bearing of Cherry Run, west, M’Fate Run, 
south. Roads to Plumer and Rouseville passing through. 
There are on the property twenty-five non-producing 
wells. Some of them have produced, but not largely. 
Average depth of wells 625 feet. Average cost $6,000. 
Commenced producing in 1863. Wells are located on 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 


315 


the flat, owned by the company in part, and by lessees. 
Ten engines, portable and stationary, on the property. 
Depth of first sandrock, 285 feet—15 feet thick ; second 
sand, 425 feet—15 feet thick ; third sand, 570 feet—14 
feet thick. Depth of driving pipe, 15 feet. The wells 
drilled have tested the flats effectually, or nearly so. 
But the hills and ravines are as yet untested, and we 
look for good wells to be obtained some day on the up¬ 
lands of this farm. The hills are not very abrupt, of 
easy access. It seems strange that this tract should 
prove unproductive, when such good territory as the 
Smith farm adjoins it. But Dame Nature plays some 
strange freaks, leaving her admirers often surprised and 
bewildered. 

Widow M'Fate Farm .—Adjoining the Cherry Run 
Petroleum Company’s lands on the south side. Owned 
at present by Balliett & Co.; is a tract lying on the 
table-lands back from the valley of Oil Creek, on 
which there are several wells in progress, none of which 
have yet been tested. There are four engines on the 
property. Depth of sandrocks, &c., not ascertained. 

M'Fate Farm .—On the north side of the Cherry 
Run Petroleum Company’s lands, bordering on the val¬ 
ley of Cherry Run, containing 160 acres. Original 
owner, Joseph M’Fate. Present owner, Oil Creek and 
Cherry Run Petroleum Company. Purchased in 18G4. 
Bounded on the north by Russell, east by Lamb and 
Knapp, south by Cherry Run Petroleum Company, west 
by Blood. One and a half miles from Plumer and one 
mile from Rouseville. Roads to Rouseville and Plumer 
over the hills. On this tract are twenty-one non-pro¬ 
ducing wells. Some have been tested, but proved un¬ 
productive. Average depth of wells, 625 feet. Aver- 


316 


PETROLIA. 


age cost, $6,000. Wells located on hill-sides and ra¬ 
vines. Twelve engines, portable and stationary, on the 
property. Depth and thickness of sandrocks similar 
to those on the Cherry Run Petroleum Company’s lands. 
Nineteen of the wells are on the border of the valley 
of Cherry Run, the others are on the ravine on upper 
part of farm. This farm has the appearance of dry 
territory. 

Hogg Farm .—Originally a portion of the Lamb 
farm, contains 25 acres, now owned by the Spring- 
field Petroleum Company, and several parties who pur¬ 
chased in fee, one and two acres each. On the tract 
are several wells drilled and others in progress, now 
abandoned, none of those drilled proving paying invest¬ 
ments. The Springfield Petroleum Company have a 
small refinery on this property, not now in operation. 
Capacity not ascertained. 

Humboldt Petroleum Company .—Have 24 acres off 
from same farm, bearing on Cherry Run, and lying 
across the valley. Was purchased by Messrs. Bruns 
and Ludovici, of New York, and the Humboldt Refin¬ 
ery built in 1862. Present owner, Humboldt Mining 
and Refining Company of New York. Purchased in 
1865. The whole tract is enclosed with a hisrh board 
fence. Capacity of works, 20 stills of 40 barrels each, 
capable of refining 1500 barrels of crude oil per week. 
Is half a mile below Plumer. Have one non-producing 
well in their enclosure over 700 feet in depth. Depth 
of first sandrock, 325 feet—40 feet thick ; second sand, 
507 feet—37 feet thick ; third sand, 623 feet—34 feet, 
thick. Depth of driving pipe, 30 feet. 

The Company have a machine shop in which they 
do all their own machine work and fitting, also, an ex- 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 317 


tensive barrel factory of their own. Have storage for 
8,000 barrels of crude oil. This is the second largest 
refinery in the oil region. They claim that they can 
turn out more refined oil than Downer’s works, at Corry. 
Their principal shipping point heretofore has been Wal¬ 
nut Bend, on the Allegheny river. The completion of 
the Cherry Run Railroad will enable them to ship direct 
by rail. The railroad runs directly by their works. 

Lamb Farm. —On west side of Cherry Run, a small 
portion coming to the Run mostly on the hill side. Con¬ 
tains 230 acres. Original owner, J. Lamb. Present 
owner, Cherry Run Central Oil Company. Purchased 
in 1864. Bounded on the north by M’Fate and Lamb, 
east by Turner and Anderson, south by Cherry Run 
Petroleum Company, west by M’Fate Brothers. Half 
a mile from Plumer, and two and a half miles from 
Rouseville. The bearing of Cherry Run is south and 
southwest. On the east side of Cherry Run, joining 
the Springfield Petroleum Company’s lands, and the 
Humboldt works, is the Robert M’Fate farm, containing 
80 acres, on which there are several non-producing 
wells. Name of present owner not ascertained. No 
one operating it. It is in the hands of some stock com¬ 
pany. The Sleuts and Turner farms join the Lamb and 
M’Fate on the north, several wells having been sunk on 
each, all non-producing. On these several tracts, em¬ 
bracing the Springfield company, Hogg farm, Lamb 
farm, M’Fate, Turner, Slents and Humboldt Company, 
&c., all lying between the Cherry Run Petroleum Com¬ 
pany’s lands and the village of Plumer, there are a 
large number of stock companies represented, many 
leases having been sold out in fee to parties operating. 
It is difficult, nay impossible, to get the names of the 
different companies, as there is no one operating, except 
the Cherry Run Central Petroleum Company. 


318 


PETROLIA. 


There are on these tracts below the Humboldt Pe¬ 
troleum Company’s lands, sixty-four derricks standing; 
from the works, reaching up to the village of Plumer, 
ninety-four derricks. Of this number, 154 in all, there 
are not more than forty wells drilled, varying in depth, 
but on an average 600 feet. The engines, twenty-four 
in number, are portable and stationary, as in other lo¬ 
calities, with the ordinary machinery. One of Button’s 
Patent Drilling Apparatus commenced the drilling of a 
well with flying colors, but failed to get down to the 
required depth. This territory looks desolate, indeed. 
There are here reared many monuments of departed, 
hopes, marking the spot where is buried, safe from 
moth, rust and corruption, and from the thief who 
prowls in darkness, the “Working Capital” of Stock 
Companies and of individuals, 600 feet below the earth’s 
surface. It may yet prove productive. 

Depth of sandrocks, as generally found, first sand, 
of flat, 100 feet, on bluff 163 feet—42 feet thick ; second 
sand, on flat, 336 feet; on bluff 400 feet—37 feet thick; 
third sand, on flat 500 feet, on bluff 525 feet—34 feet 
thick. In the Kane well, on the Lamb farm, the fourth 
sandrock, was found 650 feet deep—10 feet thick ; fifth 
sand, at 684 feet—14 feet thick; sixth sand, 908 feet, 
12 feet thick; seventh sand, 973 feet—4 feet thick. At 
the last or seventh sandrock, was the first show of oil. The 
well is 1007| feet i n depth. Is now being tested. Have 
pumped for four weeks on salt water. Have subsequent¬ 
ly learned that no great amount of oil was obtained, and 
operations ceased. The Cherry Hun Central Petroleum 
Company are testing two w T ells. Thus far all their wells 
have proved non-producing. Average cost $8,000, are 
located on both hill and bluff. Hills at this point are 
gently undulating, and not as high as at points below. 

The village of Plumer is located on the M’Calmont 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 319 

tract, seven miles from Oil City, and miles from 
Rouseville. It is one of the mushroom creations of Pe¬ 
troleum, has revelled in bright anticipations for a brief 
time, and went into rapid decay. The Osceola and 
Warren Refineries were the principal features of the 
place, and to them it owed its chief importance. Both 
are abandoned. The land about the village is principal¬ 
ly owned by Prather & Duncan. A grist mill is locat¬ 
ed here. 


M'Calmont Farm .—On Cherry Run, above and 
joining the village of Plumer, containing forty-five 
acres. Original owner J. 1ST. M’Calmont. Present 
owners, Rochester Petroleum Company. Purchased in 
18G4. Bounded on the north by Prather, east by First 
Rational Petroleum Company, south by Turner, west 
by Seymour, seven and a half miles from Oil City. 
Cherry Run passes through it, bearing south. Warren 
& Franklin turnpike, northeast. Leased to Duncan & 
Prather, and sub-leased by them to various parties. 
Ro developments. 

Prather Farm. —On Cherry Run, in Cornplanter 
township, containing 282 acres. Original owner, A. C. 
Prather. Present owners, Prather heirs, M’Aboy and 
Cherry Run Petroleum Company, Rochester Petroleum 
Company, and Liberty Oil Company. Bounded on the 
north by Prather, east by First Rational Petroleum 
Company, south by M’Calmont, west by Seymour. 
Seven and a half miles from Oil City. Bearing of 
Cherry Run south. Warren Turnpike, passing through, 
northeast. 

On Liberty Petroleum Company’s tract, fifty acres, 
are twelve non-producing wells. On Rochester Petro- 


320 


PETKOLIA. 


leum Company’s tract, 100 acres, no developments. 
On M’Aboy and Cherry Run Company’s tract, seventy- 
one acres, are seven non-producing wells. On Prather’s 
heirs’ tract, eleven acres, are five non-producing wells. 
Average depth, 300 feet. All on the flat. Have ten 
engines, portable and stationary, on the property. On 
the east of this tract and Plumer village, on the J. M. 
Ilodge farm, are the lands of the First National Petro¬ 
leum Company and the Reliance Petroleum Company. 
No paying developments. Joining the lands of the Prath¬ 
er heirs, on a portion of the valley of Cherry Run, off 
from the main valley, is the territory of the Philadel¬ 
phia, Lancaster & Cherry Run Oil Company, containing 
175 acres. Purchased in 18G4. One well drilling, now 
980 feet deep, being little indications of oil. One more 
well in progress. Cost of one now drilling up to pres¬ 
ent time, $7,000. Have two portable engines. Depth 
of first sandrock, 237 feet—18 feet thick; second sand, 
465 feet—20 feet thick; third sand, 552 feet—23 feet 
thick; fourth sand, 606 feet—30 feet thick; fifth sand, 
840 feet—10 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 22 feet. 

Prather's Farm .—On Cherry Run, Cornplanter 
township, containing 112 acres. Original and present 
owners. Prather Bros. Leased to various parties in 
1864. No paying developments. Only one well drilled. 
Bounded on the north by Bloss & Barringer, east by 
Hodge and others, south by heirs of Prather, west by 
Wilson and others. Is one mile from Plumer. Bear¬ 
ing of Cherry Run south. The eighty acres lying just 
above, is known as the Hatch farm. No wells or develop¬ 
ments. Cherry Run is a small stream at its upper 
waters. Flats are narrow and broad, varying in differ¬ 
ent localities. Hills gently undulating, with good tillable 
land bordering on either side at various points. 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 321 

FicTcets Farm .—On Cherry Run, in Cornplanter 
township. Number of acres not ascertained. Original 
owner, J. Rickets. Present owners, J. Rickets’ heirs, 
and Plumerville Oil Company. Bounded on the north 
by Patterson, east by Seely and others, south by Prath¬ 
er and west by Davidson. One and a half miles from 
Plumer, Cherry Run bears southwest and south. There 
are no producing wells. Seven non-producing, two in 
progress. Average depth, 650 feet—one 837 feet. 
Average cost not ascertained. Probably $6,000. Located 
on flat. Owned by Companies and lessees. Have four 
portable engines on the property. Depth of first sandrock, 
150 feet—35 feet thick; second sand, 275 feet—20 feet 
thick; third sand, 500 feet—55 feet thick; fourth sand, 
740 feet—8 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 50 feet. 

On Morrison farm, just above, is one well over 700 
feet deep. Are now testing; no oil yet. Between 
Morrison farm and Rattlesnake School house, are three 
wells. Above the road and below Stowell farm, are two 
more, all non-producing. 

Stowell Farm .—On Cherry Run, in Cornplanter 

township, containing-— acres. Original owner, 

--Stowell. Present owner not ascertained, Titus 

Oil Company have six acres. Two miles from Plumer. 
Bounded on the north by Allegheny township, east by 
Bates, south by Seely, west by Patterson. One pro¬ 
ducing well, the Benton, pumping twenty-five barrels 
per day. One well drilling. Depth of Benton well, 
740 feet. Cost $7,000. Commenced producing in 1865. 
Wells located on the flat. Owned by the Companies. 
Have five portable and stationary engines on the pro¬ 
perty. Depth of first sandrock, 150 feet—40 feet thick ; 
second sand, 275 feet—20 feet thick; third sand, 500 
14* 




322 


PETROLIA. 


feet—60 feet thick; fourth sand, 740 feet—8 feet thick. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 53 feet. 

On the tract above Stowell farm, the Great Re¬ 
public Oil Company have two producing wells, both 
pumping—one five, the other fifteen barrels—twenty 
barrels in all, One well drilling. Average cost of 
wells, $7,000. Average depth of wells, 750 feet. Com¬ 
menced producing in Nov. 1865. Are on flat and own¬ 
ed by Company. Have three portable engines on prop¬ 
erty. The fifteen barrel well belongs to the Lyons Oil 
Company. These wells are on the upper waters of 
Cherry Run, between Oil Creek and West Pithole Creek, 
one and a half mile from each. 

Huidekoper Farm .—On Cherry Run, above Great 
Republic Oil Company’s lands. Contains seventy-six 

acres. Original owner-Huidekoper. Present 

owner, Crescent City Oil Company. Purchased in 1864. 
Three and a half miles from Plumer. No producing 
wells. Five in progress—none tested. Are to be 
drilled 750 feet deep. Present cost, $5,500. Located 
on the table lands. Owned by lessees. Have five 
portable engines on the property. Depth of first sand- 
rock, 125 feet—25 feet thick; second sand, 275 feet— 
60 feet thick; third sand, 512 feet—15 feet thick. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 36 feet. One well on branch of 
Cherry Run, east of Crescent City Oil Company’s land, 
and east of the Titusville road, called the Green well, 
producing twenty barrels per day, pumping. Sand- 
rocks about same as those on the land of the Crescent 
City Oil Company. 


CORNPLANTER RUN AND CABOOSE RUN. 

Cornplanter Run is a tributary of Oil Creek, and 



LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 323 

empties into the same at the Clapp farm, just above 
Oil City. Caboose Run empties into Cornplanter Run 
a short distance above its mouth. 

Nevins Farm. —In Cornplanter township. Con¬ 
tains 385 acres. Original owner, J. Kevins. Present 
owners, Woods, M’Aboy & Co., 185 acres; Chamber¬ 
lin & Ivasson, 200 acres. Purchased in 1863. Bounded 
on the north by Hayes, east by Hood, south by Ilaliday 
& Kasson, west by Foster and others. One mile from 
Oil City. Cornplanter Run bears southeast, emptying 
into Oil Creek one mile above its mouth. Caboose 
Run bears east of south, emptying into Cornplanter 
Run. One producing well, flowing about three barrels 
per day when operated. Nine non-producing wells— 
five on Chamberlin tract, two on M’Aboy, and two on 
Kasson. Average depth of wells, 600 feet. Average 
cost, $4,000. Commenced producing in 1863. Wells 
located on the flat. Owned by the Companies. Have 
three engines, portable and stationary, on the property. 
Depth of first sandrock, 190 feet—20 feet thick; second 
sand, 330 feet—40 feet thick; third sand, 460 feet deep 
—15 feet thick; fourth sand, 560 feet—10 feet thick. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 12 feet. Cornplanter Run is a 
small stream, with narrow flats. Hills high in many 
places. The Reno & Pithole Railroad winds its way in 
a circuitous route over the hills into the valley of Oil 
Creek. 

Shaio Farm. —On the uplands between the H. 
M’Clintock and Clapp Farms, on Oil Creek, and the 
Keyser and Lamb farms, on the Allegheny River, near 
Walnut Bend. Contains 402 acres. Original and 
present owner, R. Shaw. Bounded on the north by H. 
M’Clintock, Tolls & Keyser, east by Keyser and Lamb, 


324 


PETROLIA. 


# 

south by Lamb, "Winger and Clapp, west by Clapp and 
M’Clintock. Is three miles from Oil City, on the War¬ 
ren & Franklin Turnpike. Five wells are being drilled 
on the farm. One being tested. Average depth of 
wells, 630 feet. Average cost of the one now testing, 
$8,000. There are eighteen leases given out on the 
farm to various parties, who are now operating. Have 
five engines on the property. Depth of sandrocks and 
driving-pipe about the general average of same on the 
Lolls farm adjoining. 

Downing Farm .—On the south side of Allegheny 
river, opposite Oil City, on Sage Run, in Cranberry 

township. Contains-acres. Original owner, T. G. 

Downing. Present owners, Imperial Oil Company, and 
Sage Run Oil Company. Purchased in 1864. Bounded 
on the north by Allegheny river, east by E. G. Clapp, 
south by Crammond and others, west by Bastian and 
others. Sage Run has a bearing at this point north, 
emptying into the river on the south side. There are 
several wells on the tract, and most of them have pro¬ 
duced largely in former years. The old Phillips & 
Frew wells, near the ferry landing, were the first pro¬ 
ducing wells on the Allegheny River, and yielded at the 
rate of forty barrels per day. Were drilled in 1860. 
Several other wells produced some oil at about the 
same time. This farm is the location of a portion of 
Venango City, and for about the first time oil opera¬ 
tions have given place to human habitations. 

Graff ,J Hasson dc Go's Farm .—On north side of 
Allegheny river, in Cornplanter township. Contains 
600 acres. Original and present owners, Graff, Hasson 
& Co. Purchased in 1856. Thirty-six acres on south¬ 
east corner on river, sold to different parties in small 



LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 325 

lots. Bounded on the north by Clapp and Winger, 
east by Siverly, south by river, west by United Petro¬ 
leum Farms Association, and joining Oil City Borough. 
Bearing of Allegheny river west. There are on the 
farm three producing wells. These, when operated, 
produced about four barrels each per day, and one non¬ 
producing well. All old wells. Average depth, 442 
feet. Average cost, $2,500. Commenced producing in 
1861. Wells located on flat or river side. Owned by 
Buffalo Oil & Mining Company, Kier & Co., Seneca Oil 
Company, and others. Have three stationary engines 
on the property. Depth of first sandrock, 180 feet— 
30 feet thick; second sand, 240 feet—30 feet thick; 
third sand, 475 feet—25 feet thick. Depth of driving- 
pipe, 15 feet. On the thirty-six acres sold to the va¬ 
rious parties, is one well flowing, belonging to the 
Riverside Oil Company, as stated in connection with 
their lands on river above. There is only a narrow 
bench along the river to operate on, and on this is the 
wagon-road to Oil City and the line of the Warren & 
Franklin Railroad. Hills high and rocky. 

Siverly Farm .—On the north side of Allegheny 
river, in Cornplanter township. Contains 118 acres. 
Original owner, P. H. Siverly. Present owner, J. W. 
Knox. Purchased in 1864. Bounded on the north by 
Graff, Hasson & Co., east by Alcorn, south by river. 
One mile from Oil City. River has a bearing north¬ 
west. Siverly Run south-west, emptying into river. 
There are four producing wells all pumping, one non¬ 
producing, and twenty in progress. The Gardner well 
is producing twenty barrels per day; Coyle well, thirty 
barrels; others twenty barrels. Daily production, sev¬ 
enty barrels. Whole amount produced, over 2,000 
barrels. Average depth of wells, 530 feet. Average 


326 


PETKOLIA. 


cost, $5,000. Wells on the flat and owned by lessees. 
Have ten engines portable and stationary, on the prop¬ 
erty. Depth of first sandrock, 250 feet—30 feet thick; 
second sand, 370 feet—40 feet thick; third sand, 490 
feet—30 feet thick, Depth of driving-pipe, 60 feet. 
The flat and table lands are broad, affording a fine field 
for operating. On this property is located the village 
of Siverlyville. It is a small place, and has a highly 
desirable location. Cornplanter Island is a small island 
in the river opposite this and the Graff, Hasson Farm, 
belonging to the Riverside Petroleum Company. On 
it are two wells, each 520 feet deep. Both non-pro¬ 
ducing. Have one engine. Sandrocks same as on the 
shore. 

Clapp Farm .—On south side of Allegheny river, in 
Cranberry township. Contains 164 acres. Bounded 
on the north by river, east by river and Alcorn, south 

by-, west by Downing. Original owner, Ellen 

G. Clapp. Present owners, Ocean Oil Company, 100 
acres ; Sage Run Oil company, sixty-four acres. Pur¬ 
chased in summer of 1864. Half a mile from Venango 
City. River bears north-west. Sage Run northwest. 
A high and narrow ridge lying between the two. 
Covered with heavy timber. There is only a narrow 
bench upon which to operate. Hills high and abrupt. 
There is one non-producing well on the Ocean Compa¬ 
ny’s tract, 600 feet deep. Has produced some seven¬ 
teen barrels of oil. Cost $6,000. Located on river 
bank, and owned by Company. Have one engine on 
property. Depth of first sandrock, 240 feet—30 feet 
thick; second sand, 350 feet—25 feet thick; third 
sand, 500 feet—15 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 
40 feet. 



LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 327 

Crammond Tract. —On Sage Run, one and a half 
miles from the mouth, in Cranberry township. Contains 
126 acres. Original owner,-Crammond. Pres¬ 

ent owners, Ogden Oil Company, 26 acres; Sage Run 
Oil Company, 100 acres. Sage Run, the only stream 
crossing, has a bearing northwest. Road to Venango 
City, same bearing. On the Ogden Oil Company’s 
tract, there are two producing wells, both pumping— 
each one barrel of heavy oil per day, two non-producing 
wells, and two in progress. Have produced in all forty 
barrels. Average depth, 600 feet. Average cost, $6,000. 
Commenced producing in 1865. Wells located on 
flat. Four portable engines on property. The wells 
are thought by company not to be deep enough. Depth 
of first sandrock, 190 feet—12 feet thick; second sand, 
420 feet—33 feet thick; third sand, 552 feet—16 feet 
thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 10 feet. Sage Run Oil 
Company have two wells on their territory, which lie 
above the Ogden Company. The walls are 650 feet 
deep. Others in progress. None yet producing. 
Have not been thoroughly tested. 

Forward Oil Company, on tract farther up the Run, 
have some w r ells in progress. One testing at a depth 
of 800 feet. The valley of Sage Run will average 
about fifteen rods in w’idth. Hills on east and north 
side steep and high ; on the opposite side not as abrupt. 
The valley presents a good field for oil operations. Its 
value will depend upon future developments. There 
w T as formerly a tram railroad passing up the valley, for 
the purpose of bringing iron ore from the banks above 
to the Allegheny river, from whence it was taken to 
the furnace then in operation on the Hasson farm, at 
the mouth of Oil Creek, on the east side. 

Alcorn Farm .—On north and west side of Alle- 



328 


PETROLIA. 


gheny river, Cornplanter township, containing 175 
acres. Owned originally by R. Alcorn. Present owners, 
Alcorn Oil Company, and Congress Oil Company. 
Purchased in 1864. Bounded on the north by Winger, 
east by Downing and river, south by river, west by 
Siverly. One and a half miles from Oil City. Bear¬ 
ing of river at this point southwest. Road to Oil City 
and Oil City & Pithole Railroad crossing it. There are 
two producing wells, both pumping, yielding but very 
little. There are two non-producing wells. Average 
depth, 576 feet. Average cost, $5,000. Commenced 
producing in Oct. 1865. Amount of production, small. 
Wells located on the flat. Have one portable engine 
on the property. Depth of first sandrock, 130 feet— 
30 feet thick; second sand, 250 feet—25 feet thick; 
third sand, 510 feet—10 feet thick. Depth of driving- 
pipe, 28 feet. On western portion of farm, hills gently 
elevated—eastern portion, hills abrupt and difficult of 
access. The river at this point, between the R. Alcorn 
farm and the W. P. Alcorn farm, on the opposite side 
of the river, makes a short bend, changing from a 
southwest to a northwest direction. There is a small 
island in the river here, belonging to Campbell, Lam- 
berton & Co., formerly known as the Alcorn Island. 
On it there is one well over 600 feet in depth. Never 
produced any oil. A new one commenced, but never 
drilled. Failed in driving the pipe, and was abandoned 
in consequence. 

Alcorn Farm. —On south and east side of Alle¬ 
gheny river. Contains 300 acres. Original owner, W. 
P. Alcorn. Present owner, Seneca Oil Company. Pur¬ 
chased in 1864. Bounded on the north and west by 

river, east by Eaker and others, south by-. Is one 

and a half miles from Venango City. One producing 



LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 329 

well, pumping. Has produced about 1,000 barrels of 
oil. One non-producing well. Average depth, 556 
feet. Cost of wells not ascertained. Commenced 
producing Sept. 1864. Wells located on the ravine, a 
few rods back from the river, and owned by the Com¬ 
pany. Have one portable engine on the property. 
Depth of first sandrock, 150 feet—30 feet thick; second 
sand, 300 feet—25 feet thick; third sand, 540 feet—10 
feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 30 feet. The river 
bank is higher than at many points. The table lands 
are well located for oil operations. Hills not as abrupt 
as on the opposite side of the river. 

Downing Farm .—On north and west side of Alle¬ 
gheny River. Contains-acres. Original owner, 

N. Downing. Present owners, Baltimore Petroleum 
Company, and W. B. Wier, of Philadelphia. Pur¬ 
chased in 1863. Bounded on the north by Cary, east 
by Cary and the river, south by river, west by Alcorn. 
Two and a half miles from Oil City. Bearing of river 
southwest. On this farm are two producing wells, both 
pumping two barrels each daily, and five non-producing 
wells. Amount of production, 1,100 barrels. Average 
depth of wells, 560 feet. Average cost, $3,000. Com¬ 
menced producing in September, 1864. Wells located 
on river bank, and owned by company. Have two 
portable engines on property. Depth of first sandrock, 
213 feet—28 feet thick; second sand, 350 feet—28 feet 
thick; third sand, 475 feet—10 feet thick. Depth of 
driving-pipe, 28 feet. Hills high and abrupt, narrow 
table along the river, with horse and foot-path along 
the ba^k and railroad track. There are some old der¬ 
ricks standing here, as monuments of the past. 

Eaker Farm .—On east and south side of Allegheny 



330 


PETEOLIA. 


River, in Cranberry township. Contains 120 acres. 
Original owner, E. R. Eaker. Present owner, River¬ 
side Petroleum Company. Purchased in December, 
1864. Is bounded on the north by river and Evans, 
east by West, south by Alcorn, west by river. Two 
and a half miles from Venango City. Bearing of river 
at this point southwest. Have one producing well, 
pumping very little, and two non-producing wells. 
Average depth of wells, 550 feet. Average cost of 
wells, $6,000. Commenced producing in 1864. Wells 
located on river bank, and owned by company. Have 
two engines on property. Depth of first sandrock, 160 
feet—20 feet thick; second sand, 380 feet—26 feet 
thick; third sand, 485 feet—30 feet thick. Depth of 
driving-pipe, 28 feet. Hills gently elevating back from 
river for thirty rods. Are considerably broken. Oil 
found in the second sandrock. 

Evans Farm .—On the south and east side of the 
Allegheny River, and on Horse Creek. Contains 2,190 
acres. Original owner, E. Evans. Present owner, 
Horse Creek Oil and Manufacturing Company of Phila¬ 
delphia. Purchased in 1863. Bounded on the north 
by river, east by Blakely and others, south by Law and 
others, west by river. Three miles from Venango City. 
The bearing of the Allegheny River is southwest. 
Horse Creek northwest. At the mouth of Horse 
Creek is a little settlement, one store. Was formerly 
the location of a blast furnace. One of the old stacks 
is still standing. Here is a good tract for oil operations 
on the river and on both sides of Horse Creek. There 
is one producing well, pumping, but not very much, 
and two non-producing wells. Average cost of wells, 
$5,000. Average depth, 500 feet. Wells located on 
flat, and owned two by company, and one by Arren & 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 331 

Bannon. Have three portable and stationary engines 
on the property. Depth of first sandrock, 200 feet—30 
feet thick; second sand, 300 feet—25 feet thick; third 
sand not found. Depth of driving-pipe, 20 feet. 

This property extends up Horse Creek for a long 
distance. The Philadelphia Oil Company, Yenango 
Petroleum Company, and Allegheny Petroleum Com¬ 
pany are represented in leases on the river flats. Coal 
is found on the tract, but has never been worked in the 
banks to ascertain the extent of the supply. It is 
thought to be valuable, being an under vein. The com¬ 
pany have a new saw-mill about one mile and a half up 
the Creek. In one well now in progress on Horse 
Creek, was found a white sandrock, 75 feet below the 
surface, which is 100 feet thick. 

Gary Farm .—On the north side of Allegheny 
River, in Cornplanter township. Number of acres not 
ascertained. Original owner, H. Cary. Present owner, 
Rockwood Oil Company, twenty-five acres on river 
front and table lands, the American Illuminating Oil 
Company have the balance, lying on the hill tops. 
Four miles from Oil City. Bounded on the north and 
east by Lamb, south by river and Downing, west by 
Downing and Wingar. Allegheny River bears south¬ 
west. Railroad crossing on river bank. There are three 
producing wells, all pumping. Daily product, thirty 
barrels. One non-producing well. Whole amount of 
production, 20,000 barrels. Average depth of wells, 
312 to 510 feet. Average cost, $4,000. Commenced 
producing in 1861 and 1865. Wells located on river 
bank, and owned by the Wellsville Oil Company. 
Have three portable engines. Depth of first sandrock, 
220 feet—30 feet thick ; second sand, 350 feet—25 feet 
thick ; third sand, 485 feet—10 feet thick, not firm but 


332 


PETEOLIA. 


shelly. Depth of driving-pipe, 10 feet. The Ameri¬ 
can Illuminating Oil Company have nine non-producing 
wells on the hills, some 200 feet above the level of the 
river. Have three engines. 

Lamb Farm .—On north side of Allegheny Kiver, 
and on Lamb Run, in Cornplanter township. Humber 
of acres not ascertained. Original owner, S. Lamb. 
Present owners, Rogers & Macy, Hew York, Phila¬ 
delphia and Baltimore Petroleum Company, and Phila¬ 
delphia, Lancaster, and Cherry Run Petroleum Com¬ 
pany. Purchased in 1864. Bounded on the north by 
Shaw, east by Keyser and others, south by river, west 
by Cary. Four and a half miles from Oil City. River 
bears southwest, Lamb Run south. Roads to river and 
Oil City. There are four producing wells, all pumping 
from five to twenty-five barrels each per day. Daily 
product, fifty barrels. Six non-producing wells. 
Amount of production not ascertained. Average 
depth of wells, 380 feet. Average cost, $5,000. Wells 
located on the flat, and owned by the companies. Have 
four portable and stationary engines. Depth of first 
sandrock, 190 feet—V feet thick; second sand, 298 feet 
—15 feet thick; third sand not found. Depth of driv¬ 
ing-pipe, 12 feet. The Tarr Homestead Oil Company 
are represented on this farm. Hills high and rocky. 
Only a narrow bench on river for operating upon. 

Rennoff Farm .—On north and west side of Alle¬ 
gheny River, in Cornplanter township. Original 
owner, S. Rennoff. Present owners, M‘Clintock & 
Cornwall Petroleum and Mining Company, and Ross 
Oil Company. Purchased in 1864. Bounded on the 
north by Conver, east and south by river, west by 
Lamb and others. Five miles from Oil City. Bearing 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 333 

of river east of south and south of west. There are 
two producing wells, pumping three barrels per day, 
and eighteen non-producing wells. Total amount of 
production not ascertained. Average depth of wells, 
500 feet. Average cost, $5,000. Commenced pro¬ 
ducing in 1860 and 1861. Wells are all on flat, and 
owned by various companies, as follows: Carbon Oil 
Company, three; Woods & Wright, two; Grant & 
Stewart, one; Ravenna Oil Company, two; Lockhart 

Frew, two; Lay, Rathbone & Co., six. Have six 
portable and stationary engines on the property. Depth 
of first sandrock, 270 feet—28 feet thick; second sand, 
340 feet—28 feet thick ; third sand not found. Some 
of the wells on this tract have formerly produced quite 
largely, but are now doing nothing The wells to some 
extent interfere with each other. 

Blakely Farm. —On south and east side of Alle¬ 
gheny River, and on Panther Run, in President town¬ 
ship. Original owner, J. Blakely. Present owners, 
Harrington Oil Company, Star Oil Company, and 
others, owning different tracts. Purchased in 1864 
Bounded on the north by Ulrick & Foster, east by 
Blakely and Dale, south by Evans, west by Evans and 
river. Five miles from Yenango City. Bearing of 
river, southwest; Panther Run, west. Roads to 
Venango City south, to Walnut Bend north. There 
is one producing well, pumping fifteen barrels per day, 
owned by Harrington Company, and six non-producing 
wells. The non-producing wells are owned as follows : 
Harrington Oil Company, two; Star Oil Company, 
two. Average depth of wells, 500 feet. Average cost, 
$6,000. Commenced producing, September, 1864. 
Amount of production not ascertained. Wells located 
on river side bench. Owned by the companies. Have 


334 


PETEOLIA. 


four portable engines on the property. Depth of first 
sandrock, 210 feet—15 feet thick; second sand, 350 
feet—25 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 50 feet. 
No third sand found. Hills high. Covered with hem¬ 
lock timber. Panther Run is a small stream, at the 
mouth of which are four wells. None of them in op¬ 
eration, apparently abandoned. There is a thick 
growth of hemlock on the Run. A good place for 
panthers, we should judge. Solitary looking place. 

JVellis Farm .—On east side of Allegheny River, in 

President township. Containing-acres. Original 

owner, James Nellis. Present owners, V. Ulrick, 
Panther Run Oil Company, and Clapp & Lindermann. 
Bounded on the north by Bruner, east by Foster, south 
by Blakely, west by river. Five and a half miles from 
Venango City. Bearing of river east of south. Road 
to Walnut Bend north, to Venango City east of south. 
There are three non-producing wells, and one drilling. 
Average depth, 600 feet. Average cost, $6,000. The 
wells have formerly produced some oil; are located 
on the flat, and owned by companies. Have three 
portable engines. Depth of first sandrock, 210 feet— 
15 feet thick; second sand, 350 feet—25 feet thick; 
third sand not found. Depth of driving-pipe, 40 feet. 
The flat affords a fine territory to operate upon. Is 
narrow at lower end. Various oil companies are here 
interested in the working interest. 

Krotzer Farm .—On Allegheny River, east side, 
and in Walnut Bend, President township. Contains 
ninety-five acres. Original owner, Philip Krotzer. 
Present owner, Continental Oil Company. Purchased 
in 1864. Bounded on the north by Nevins, east by 
Nellis, south and west by river. Six miles from Oil 



LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 335 

City. Bearing of river, southeast. Road to Walnut 
Bend north, to Horse Creek, southeast. There are 
seven producing wells on the farm, all pumping from 
six to fifteen barrels each. Average daily production, 
sixty barrels. Total amount of production not ascer¬ 
tained. Average depth of wells, 450 feet.. Average 
cost, $5,000. Commenced producing in 1864 and 1865. 
Wells located on the flat, and owned by the Continental 
Oil Company, Walnut Bottom Company, and New 
York and Walnut Bend Oil Company. Have seven 
portable and stationary engines on the property. Depth 
of first sandrock, 170 feet—30 feet thick ; second sand, 
260 feet—20 feet thick ; third sand not found. Depth 
of driving-pipe, 45 feet. This is good territory for 
operations in oil, and good land for cultivation. 

Dille Farm. —On east side of Allegheny River, and 
in Walnut Bend, President township. Contains ninety- 
five acres. Original owner, Henry Dille. Present 
owner, United States Petroleum Company. Purchased 
in 1864. Bounded on the north by Jones & Fry, east 
by Fry & Bruner, south by Krotzer, west by Krotzcr 
and river. Six miles from Oil City. Bearing of river 
south. Road to Horse Creek south. On this tract are 
three old abandoned wells; one formerly produced 
about four barrels per day. Average depth, from 200 
to 500 feet. Are located on the flat; one back near 
bluff. Depth of first sandrock, 165 feet—40 feet thick ; 
second sand, 265 feet—16 feet thick; third sand, 315 
feet—12 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 40 feet. 

Dotson Farm. —On east side of river, in Walnut 
Bend, President township. Contains twenty-five acres. 
Original owner, Alexander Dotson. Present owner, 
New World Petroleum Company. Purchased in 1861 


336 


PETEOLIA. 


Bounded on the north by Dille, east by Fry, south by 
Kevins, west by river. Six and a half miles from Oil 
City. Bearing of river south. There are three non¬ 
producing wells. Two formerly yielded some oil, one 
as high as forty barrels per day. Average depth of 
wells, 488 feet. Average cost, $4,500. Commenced 
producing in 1862 and 1865. Total amount of produc¬ 
tion not ascertained. Wells on flat, and owned by the 
company and lessees. Have two portable engines. 
Depth of first sandrock, 1*70 feet—45 feet thick ; second 
sand, 270 feet—16 feet thick; third sand, 320 feet—12 
feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 50 feet. 

Barr Farm .—On south side of Allegheny River, in 
President township. Containing thirty and a half 
acres. Original owner, Jacob Barr. Present owners, 
Walnut Bend Oil Company, Shoe and Leather Oil 
Company, and Star Oil Company. Purchased in 1864. 
Seven miles from Oil City and seven from President. 
One producing well, pumping five barrels per day, on 
property. Ten non-producing wells, and one in pro¬ 
gress. One of the Star Company’s wells has produced 
about 11,000 barrels; and another one, 2,000 barrels. 
Average depth of wells, 500 feet. Average cost, $5,000. 
Commenced producing in 1861 and 1865. Wells lo¬ 
cated on the flat, and owned by companies. Four en¬ 
gines, portable and stationary, on the property. Depth 
of the first sandrock, 175 feet—40 feet thick; second 
sand, 275 feet—16 feet thick; third sand, 325 feet—12 
feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 58 feet. The Star 
well flowed, when first struck, at the rate of 200 barrels 
per day; diminished gradually to forty barrels per 
day, and pumped afterwards for two years. The other 
one pumped at first seventy barrels per day; after¬ 
ward ran down to twenty barrels per day, averaging 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 337 

this amount of production for eight months. Is re¬ 
garded as good oil territory hereabouts. 

Krotzer Farm .—On Allegheny River, south side, 
in Walnut Bend, President township. Contains fifty 
acres. Original owner, Henry Krotzer. Present 
owners, Krotzer Farm Oil Company, and Gibson Oil 
Company. Purchased in 18G4. Bounded on the north 
by river, east by Bruner, south by Fry, west by Barr. 
Seven and a half miles from Oil City. Bearing of river 
west. Road to Henry Bend east. There are here two 
producing wells, both pumping, one nine barrels; one 
forty-eight barrels per day; and eight non-producing 
wells. Average depth, 550 feet. Average cost, $5,000. 
Commenced producing in July and October, 1865. 
Amount of production, 1,500 barrels. Wells located 
on the flat and owned by companies. Have six engines, 
portable and stationary, on the property. Depth of 
first sandrock, 185 feet—40 feet thick; second sand, 
285 feet—16 feet thick; third sand, 335 feet—12 feet 
thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 60 feet. The flat and 
table land here and below, embracing the greater por¬ 
tion of the territory in Walnut Bend, is well located 
for oil, and is also good land for agricultural purposes. 

Tolls Farm .—On west side of Allegheny River, in 
Cornplanter township. Kumber of acres not ascer¬ 
tained. Original owner, A. Tolls. Present owners, 
Brooklyn Petroleum Company, Walnut Bend and 
Cherry Run Petroleum Company, Allegheny and Wai- 
not Bend Petroleum Company, Munliall & Co., M‘Clin- 
tock & Kin ter, Philips & Van Arsdall, and Brown & 
Co. Bounded on the north by Conner, east by river, 
south by Rennoff, west by Shaw. Six miles from Oil 
City, and four from Pithole Creek or Oleopolis. Bear- 
15 


338 


PETKOLIA. 


ing of river southeast. Road to Warren and Franklin 
Turnpike northwest. On this farm are two producing 
wells, and nine non-producing. The two producing 
wells are pumping one two barrels, and the other eight 
barrels per day. Average depth of wells, 500 feet. 
Average cost, $5,000. Wells located on bench or hill¬ 
side, and owned by the various companies. Have 
three portable and stationary engines on the property. 
Depth of first sandrock, 150 feet—40 feet thick; sec¬ 
ond sand, 360 feet—25 feet thick ; third sand, 480 feet, 
not distinct. Depth of driving-pipe, 30 feet. Narrow 
bench along river bank, giving only room for one tier 
of wells. The Oil City and Pithole Railroad passing 
over the same. Hills high and abrupt. 

Conner Farm .—On w r est side of Allegheny River, 
in Cornplanter township. Original owner, S. Conner. 
Present owner, Plainfield Petroleum Company in part. 
Bounded on the north by Knapp, east by Kintzler, 
south by river and Tolls. Five and a half miles from 
Oil City, and four and a half from Oleopolis. Bearing 
of river south. On this farm are twelve non-producing 
w r ells. Average depth of wells, 500 feet. Average 
cost, $5,000. Located on the river bank. Owned by 
the company and lessees. Have four portable and sta¬ 
tionary engines on the property. Depth of first sand- 
rock, 150 feet—25 feet thick; second sand, 300 feet— 
30 feet thick; third sand, 400 feet—20 feet thick. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 20 feet. No operators on the 
ground. All quiet as a sleeper. Hills high and abrupt. 
Narrow bench along the river bank. 

Kintzler Farm .—On the north side of the Alle¬ 
gheny River, in Cornplanter township.* Contains 116 
acres. Original owner, J. Kintzler. Present owner, 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 339 


Humboldt Petroleum and Mining Company. Pur¬ 
chased in 1804. Bounded on the north by Seymour, 
east by Russell, south by river, west by Conner. Seven 
miles from Oil City, and three miles from Oleopolis. 
Bearing of river west. Road to Oleopolis east, to 
Plumer north. Railroad crosses on river bank. On 
the farm is one producing well, pumping twenty-five 
barrels per day, and six non-producing w^ells. Several 
of them have formerly produced some oil. Amount 
not ascertained. Average depth of wells, 400 feet. 
Average cost, $4,000. Commenced producing in 1861, 
1862, and 1864. Wells located on flat and river bank. 
Have two engines, portable and stationary, on the 
property. Depth of first sandrock, 160 feet—18 feet 
thick ; second sand, 280 feet—25 feet thick; third sand, 
340 feet—20 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 12 
feet. Kintzler Run empties into the river at this point, 
and near the Run is the Humboldt Company’s Ferry 
across the Allegheny. 

JZussel Farm .—On north side of Allegheny River, 
at Walnut Bend in Cornplanter township. Contains 100 
acres. Original owner, Archibald Russel. Present 
owner, Lamb Bros., and H. M‘Clintock. Purchased in 
1862, Lamb Bros.’ part; M c Clintock’s in 1864. Seven 
and a half miles from Oil City, and two and a half from 
Oleopolis. Road to Plumer north, to Oleopolis east. 
Three non-producing W'ells. Depth, 200 feet. Cost, 
$2,000. Wells located on flat and river bank. Owned 
by Lamb Bros. & M c Clintock. Have one stationary 
engine on property. Depth of first sandrock, 160 feet 
—10 feet thick; second sand, 289 feet—25 feet thick. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 20 feet. Hills high and rocky. 
Difficult of access. 

J /‘Fate Farm .—On north side of Allegheny River, 


340 


PETEOLIA. 


and on M‘Fate Rim, at Walnut Bend, in Cornplanter 
township. Containing twenty-five acres. Original 
owner, Samuel M‘Fate. Present owner, Lamb Bros. 
Two and a half miles from Plumer. Bearing of river 
west, M‘Fate Run south. Road to Plumer north, to 
Oleopolis, east. There are four producing wells, all 
pumping, each six barrels daily. Average daily pro¬ 
duction, twenty-four barrels. Eight non-producing 
wells. Some of these have formerly yielded a consid¬ 
erable amount of oil. Amount of production, 5,000 
barrels. Average depth of wells, 350 feet. Average 
cost, $4,000. Commenced producing in 1861, 1862, 
and 1865. Located on river side table land, and owned 
by Lamb Bros. Have four engines, portable and sta¬ 
tionary, on the property. Depth of first sandrock, 160 
feet—11 feet thick; second sand, 280 feet—25 feet 
thick; third sand, 340 feet—15 feet thick; shelly. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 12 feet. 

On M‘Fate Run, above this farm, on the Hogg 
farm, there are five wells in progress. Hone of them 
producing. Average depth, 400 feet. Sandrocks about 
same as on M‘Fate. Have five engines. 

McMahan Farm .—On M‘Mahan Run, and north 
side of Allegheny River. Containing 300 acres. Orig¬ 
inal owner, J. M‘Mahan. Present owner, M‘Mahan 
Farm Oil Company. Purchased in 1864. Bounded 
on the north by Caldwell, east by Anderson, south 
by river, west by M‘Fate. Two miles from Oleo¬ 
polis. Road to Oleopolis southeast, to Plumer north. 
Bearing of river northwest, M‘Mahan Run west of 
south. One producing well, pumping fifteen barrels 
per day, known as the Warren well. Has produced 
fifty barrels per day. Is now owned by the Oil Creek, 
Cherry Run and Allegheny Petroleum Company, of 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 341 

Syracuse, N. Y. There are ten non-producing wells, 
three of them formerly yielded some oil. Average 
depth of wells, 400 feet. Average cost, $3,000. Com¬ 
menced producing in 1864. Amount of production, 
over 7,000 barrels. Wells located on river bank and 
ravine. Owned by company and individuals. Three 
portable and stationary engines on the property. Depth 
of first sandrock, 180 feet; second sand, 280 feet—30 
feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 12 feet. M‘Malian 
Run is a small spring stream, making from the hills to 
the river. Warren & Bros, formerly had a landing at 
this point, and oil from their works at Plumer, pump¬ 
ing it through pipes over the hills, and shipping it from 
this place by river. 

Bruner Farm —On Allegheny River, south side, in 
President township, containing 160 acres. Original 
owner, W. Bruner. Present owners, Bruner Oil Com¬ 
pany, Almeda Oil Company, Collins Oil Company, and 
Bruner Farm Oil Company. Purchased in 1864, 
Bounded on the north by river, east by Foster, south 
by Bruner, west by Krotzer and others. Eight miles 
from Yenango City, and two from Oleopolis. On this 
tract are seventeen non-producing wells, one of which 
formerly flowed thirty barrels per day. The whole 
amount of production, 6,000 barrels. Depth of wells, 
from 300 to 600 feet. Average cost, $5,000. Com¬ 
menced producing in 1861 and 1863. Wells located 
on hillside and table lands. Owned by companies. 
Have five engines, portable and stationary, on the prop¬ 
erty. Depth of first sandrock, 130 feet—30 feet thick ; 
second sand, 230 feet—30 feet thick; third sand not 
found. Deptli of driving-pipe, 40 feet. On the farm is 
one small refinery, owned by Mr. Collins; capacity, 
42 barrels crude per week. Hills high and rugged, 
with only a narrow table next to river. 


342 


rETROLIA. 


Lower Walnut Island—Is in the river, between the 
Barr farm on south side, and Kintzler farm on the north 
side. Roads to it in all directions by skiffs. There is 
one producing well on the island, pumping five barrels 
per day, reported to have formerly produced seventy- 

five barrels per day. Original owner,- Downing. 

Present owners, Farley, Hodgkiss, and others. Pur¬ 
chased in 1860. Full amount of production not ascer¬ 
tained. Well owned by the company. Have one por¬ 
table engine. Depth of first sandrock, 165 feet—40 
feet thick; second sand, 168 feet—15 feet thick; third 
sand, 315 feet—12 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 
40 feet. 

Middle Walnut Island —Is in Allegheny River, a 
few rods above the first, between the Krotzer farm on 
the south side, and McMahan farm on north side, and 
contains seven acres. Owned originally by Win. 
Bruner. Present owners, Whitmore & Hull. There 
are three old wells, non-producing. One of them has 
formerly yielded some oil. The flood of March, 1865, 
swept the works all away. Average depth of wells, 
500 feet. Depth of first sandrock, 174 feet—20 feet 
thick ; second sand, 250 feet—20 feet thick ; third sand 
not found. Depth of driving-pipe, 40 feet. 

Tipper Walnut Island —In Allegheny River, a short 
distance above the Middle Island, between Krotzer and 
Bruner farms on the south side, and M‘Mahan and 
Anderson farms on north side. Eight miles from Oil 
City and two miles from Oleopolis, containing twenty 
acres. Originally owned by Wm. Bruner, by whom it 
was sold to Dr. L. Haldeman, C. Curtiss, S. Q. Brown, 
and others; sold by them to Upper Walnut Island 
Oil Company, who are the present owners. There are 



LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 343 

four producing wells, all pumping from three to twelve 
barrels each per day. Daily product, thirty-five bar¬ 
rels. Total amount of production, 5,200 barrels. Aver¬ 
age depth of wells, 400 feet. Average cost, $5,000. 
There are six non-producing wells, and three in ])ro- 
gress. Wells commenced producing in August, 1804. 
Are owned by company. Have nine portable engines 
on property. Depth of first sandrock, 174 feet—20 
feet thick ; second sand, 256 feet—20 feet thick ; third 
sand not found. Depth of driving-pipe, 40 feet. 

Anderson Farm .—On north side of Allegheny 
River, in Cornplanter township. Containing 200 
acres. Originally owned by J. Anderson. Present 
owners, Great Western Consolidated Petroleum Com¬ 
pany, Anderson Petroleum Company, of New York, 
First National Petroleum Company (leased). Pur¬ 
chased in 1864. Bounded on the north by Caldwell, 
east by M‘Calmont, south by river, west by MAlahao. 
Bearing of river northwest. Road to Plumer north, to 
Oleopolis southeast. There are four producing wells, 
all pumping from 5 to 140 barrels per day. Average 
daily production, 200 barrels. Fourteen non-produc¬ 
ing wells; five of these are reported to have formerly 
yielded considerable—200 barrels 2 )er day. Total 
amount of production not ascertained. Estimated 
at 10,000 barrels. Average depth of wells, 400 
feet. Average cost, $3,000. Commenced producing 
in 1860, 1861, and 1865. Wells located on the table 
lands along the river sides. Owned by individual com¬ 
panies and lessees. Have eight engines, portable and 
stationary, on the property. Depth of first sandrock, 
180 feet—30 feet thick ; second gand, 230 feet—30 feet 
thick; third sand not found. Depth of driving-pipe, 
40 feet. A portion of the town of Oleopolis is located 
on this farm. 


344 


FETROLIA. 


M‘Calmont Farm. —On north side of Allegheny 
River, and on both sides of Pith ole Creek, after leaving 
the river a few rods. Contains 170 acres. Extends 
one and a half miles on the Creek. Original owner, 
M‘Calmont estate. Present owner, Pithole Oil Com¬ 
pany, of Philadelphia. Purchased in 1864. Ten miles 
from Oil City, three miles from Plumer, six miles from 
Pithole City, and two miles from Eagle Rock. Bear¬ 
ing of river west, of Pithole Creek south. Road to 
Plumer north, to Eagle Rock east. Oil City and Pit- 
hole Railroad crossing, having shipping platforms for 
branch railroad and river. There are three produc¬ 
ing wells on Pithole Creek, one and a half miles up 
from river. All pumping from thirty-five to forty bar¬ 
rels each per day. Eight old non-producing wells on 
the river. Average depth of wells, 335 feet on the 
Creek and 500 feet on the river. Average cost of wells, 
$4,000. Commenced producing in October, 1865. 
Amount of production not ascertained. Wells located 
on flat and table lands. Owned by the company and 
lessees. Have three engines on the property. Depth 
of first sandrock, 110 feet—20 feet thick; second sand, 
230 feet—22 feet thick; third sand, 320 feet—24 feet 
thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 10 feet. On river sand- 
rocks same as on Anderson farm. The new town of 
Oleopolis is principally located on this farm, fronting 
on the river with a southern slope toward river, hills 
gently elevating, affording a fine location for a town. 
The Pennsylvania Pipe and Transportation Company 
have their tanks located on this tract on Pithole Creek, 
and on the Anderson farm on the river. The town of 
Oleopolis has already assumed considerable magnitude, 
comprising dwellings, stores, shops, hotels, also a 
steamboat landing, railroad station, and showing all 
the energy of a new and flourishing business point. 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 345 

Upon the hill on this farm, is one of the deep pits 
from which Pithole Creek takes its name. The open¬ 
ing is about sixteen inches wide and six feet long, run¬ 
ning in about a northeast and southwest course. It is 
a separation in the rocks, and seems to have been occa¬ 
sioned by some violent upheaval or disturbance of in¬ 
ternal earth. Its depth has never been ascertained. 
Another pit has been found on what was originally the 
Widow Shaw tract. This opening is larger and longer 
than the other. The earth has evidently washed into 
this pit, making an oblong basin before coming to the 
rock of about fifteen feet wide, and twenty or more 
feet long. The opening in the rocks is some eighteen 
inches in width, and about twelve feet long, increasing 
some in size as it goes below the surface. Depth of 
these pits not ascertained. Stones thrown into these 
openings, roll and tumble as long as they can be heard. 
Parties have been in for some distance, or as far as the 
purity of the air would allow. The openings are now 
nearly filled with logs and brush, to keep animals from 
falling in. Snow never remains about the openings— 
melting away at once. Throw a handful of leaves over 
the openings, and the current of air at once lifts them 
up and carries them away. That these mysterious 
openings have some bearing upon the Petroleum for¬ 
mation, we have no doubt, but the evidence so far as 
presented is too vague and unsatisfactory for illustra¬ 
tion. A scientific and thorough exploration of these 
pits might possibly enlighten mankind greatly as to 
many of the seeming mysteries that surround the won¬ 
derful product known as Petroleum. 

New YorJc , Philadelphia & Baltimore Petroleum 
Company's Tract .—This is a triangular tract of ten 
acres on the Allegheny river and at the mouth of Pit- 

15* 


346 


PETEOLIA. 


hole Creek. Original owner, M ( Calmont estate. Pres¬ 
ent owners, New York, Philadelphia & Baltimore Pe¬ 
troleum Company. Ten and a half miles from Oil City, 
six miles from Pitliole City, and two miles from Eagle 
Rock. Bearing of river west, Pithole Creek south; 
road to Pithole City north, to Henry Bend, east. War¬ 
ren & Franklin Railroad now building to this point. 
There are two non-producing wells. Depth 400 feet. 
Cost $4,000. Wells located on the flat, and owned by 
the Company. Have two engines on the property. 
Depth of first sandrock, 170 feet—26 feet thick; second 
sand, 290 feet—15 feet thick; third sand not found. 
Depth of driving-pipe 40 feet. The Pennsylvania Pipe 
& Transportation Company have a shipping dock at 
this point and their principal office. They have also 
another office at Pithole City. The length of the pipe 
is seven and a half miles, it is cast iron, and six inches 
in diameter. The head of the pipe is at the United 
States well. The oil is received from branch pipes run¬ 
ning to the different wells. It is first measured in the 
tanks, and then let into the main pipe for transportation 
to the receiving tanks at Oleopolis. These tanks are 
made of boiler-iron, holding some 15,000 barrels. They 
are located about a quarter of a mile from the river, 
up the Creek. The oil is conveyed in a six-inch dis¬ 
charge-pipe to the shipping platform on the bank of the 
river. At this platform is a cross-head pipe, of same 
calibre, forty to fifty feet long. In this, at convenient 
distances for filling barrels, are inserted pieces of two- 
inch service-pipe, to each of which is attached a stop¬ 
cock and rubber hose, with goose-neck for filling bar¬ 
rels. Pipe can be attached to these for running the oil 
into bulk boats. The Company can transport 6,000 bar¬ 
rels of oil per day through the pipe, if required. The 
pipe is laid six feet under ground and is not affected by 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 34:7 

frosts. It has proved a successful mode of transporta* 
tion, but has been highly detrimental to the growth 
of Pithole, and annihilation to teamsters. 

Foster Farm .—On the south side of Allegheny 
river, in President township. Owned by S. D. Ulrick. 
Bounded on the north by Allegheny river, east by Hey- 
drick, south by Blakely, west by Ulrick and others. No 
oil developments of consequence here. Two wells were 
commenced at one time, but never finished. At one, 
the engine house was burned down, and the other well 
was “ kicked ” down with a spring-pole. There are three 
abandoned derricks. Hills high and abrupt. Only a 
narrow rocky beach next to river. Not very inviting 
for oil men. No road, only a narrow foot-path along 
the river bank. Is opposite Oleopolis. 

Heydriclc Farm. —On south side of Allegheny river, 
and on upper waters of Panther Run. Owned by C. W. 
Heydrick. Two miles from Walnut Bend, and two 
miles from Henry Bend. On this farm are two aban¬ 
doned wells. A derrick erected for another is also 
abandoned. Nothing doing in the way of development. 
No road. Narrow foot-path along the river bank. 
Hills high and rocky, covered with timber. There is a 
small island in the river here, directly opposite the mouth 
of Pithole Creek and Oleopolis. 

Howe Farm. —On south side of Allegheny river, in 
President township, containing 133 acres. Original 
owner,—Howe. Present owner, Hazleton Petroleum 
Company. Purchased in 1864. Bearing of river west, 
road to Henry Bend, east. Two producing wells on the 
farm, both pumping, one twelve barrels, the other 20 bar¬ 
rels per day. Have produced over 7,000 barrels of oil. 


348 


PETROLIA. 


Average depth of wells, 350 feet. Average cost, $5,000. 
Commenced producing in 1864 & 1865. Wells located 
on the flat and a small ravine. Have five non-producing 
wells. Owned by the company'and lessees. Have four 
engines on the property. Depth of first sandrock, 165 
feet—15 feet thick; second sand, 210 feet—30 feet thick. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 36 feet. Here is a good flat for 
operating. Is narrow at the lower end, where the best 
wells are located. Well No. 2 is pumping with a good, 
substantial, direct attachment rig, all arranged for dura¬ 
bility and convenience. 

Alexander Farm. —On south side of Allegheny river. 
Containing forty-four acres, originally part of the Hey- 
drick tract. Present owners, Pithole Creek and Alle¬ 
gheny river Petroleum Company. Purchased in 1864. 
Is two and a half miles from Walnut Bend. Bearing: 
of river northwest. Road to Walnut Bend northwest, 
to President southeast. There are two producing wells, 
both pumping one barrel each per day, when worked; 
two non-producing wells, and one in progress. Aver¬ 
age depth of wells, 400 feet. Average cost, $5,000. 
Wells located on river flat and Oil Run. Owned by the 
Company. Have three engines on the farm. Depth of 
first sandrock, 165 feet—15 feet thick; second sand, 210 
feet—30 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe on Oil Run, 
16 feet; on river, 36 feet. Here is some fine territory for 
operating. Only a few wells drilled. Oil not yet found 
in paying quantities. 

Heydrich Farm. — On Allegheny river, southeast 
side, in Henry Bend. Contains 194 acres. Original 
owners, P. C. & C. W. Heydrick. Present owners, 
Heydrick Brothers, and Heydrick Oil Company. Bound¬ 
ed on the north by river, east by President Petroleum 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 349 

Company, south by Alexander, west by river. Three 
miles from Walnut Bend. Bearing of Allegheny river 
southwest. Road to Walnut Bend northwest. Have 
one producing well, pumping 15 barrels per day. 
Known as the Starrow well. Twenty-five wells non-pro¬ 
ducing and in progress. Average depth, 375 feet on 
Excelsior lease, on Heydrick 300 to 500 feet. Com¬ 
menced producing in 1801 and 1865. Total amount of 
former production 36,000 bbls. Latterly not ascertain¬ 
ed. Wells located on flat and table land. Owned by 
Companies and Excelsior Oil Company lessees. Have 
five portable and stationary engines on property. Depth 
of first sandrock, 175 feet—20 feet thick; second sand, 
350 feet—30 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 70 feet 
on lower part of tract, 18 feet at old Heydrick well. 
This well commenced producing in 1860. Flowed ten 
days at the rate of 1,800 bbls. per day, then stopped. 
Would flow afterward only when agitated with the pump. 
Pumped 100 barrels per day for several months. Is 
only 280 feet deep. Are reaming out the hole, hoping 
to open the vein. 

Shaffer Farm .—On north side of Allegheny river, 
and on Pithole Creek, containing 400 acres. Original 
owner — M‘Kissick. Present owners, Barrows, Hazle¬ 
ton & Co. Bounded on the north and east by JVPCal- 
mont tract, south by river, west by lands of Pithole Oil 
Company. Ten miles from Oil City, four miles from 
President. Bearing of river southwest, Pithole Creek 
east of south. Road and railroad to Pithole City north¬ 
west and north. No producing wells. Fifteen non-pro¬ 
ducing and five old abandoned wells. The Irvine well 
flowed quite largely when first struck, but was never 
chambered or the oil saved. Was plugged up in conse¬ 
quence of an objectionable barrel contract, and the cheap 


350 


PETROLIA. 


price of oil. Average depth of wells, 400 feet, one 700 
feet. Average cost, $4,000. Commenced producing in 
1862. Wells located on flat and hillside. Have six 
engines, portable and stationary, on the property. 
Wells owned by lessees. Depth of first sandrock, 170. 
feet—20 feet thick; second sand, 290 feet—15 feet thick. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 50 feet on river at lower end, and 
25 feet on creek. On the upper end of farm they drive 
15 feet. 

M l Calmont Farm .—On Allegheny river, on north 
side, and on Pithole Creek, in President township. Con¬ 
tains 291 acres. Original owner, Judge M'Calmont. 
Present owners, Farrar Oil Company, of Boston. Pur¬ 
chased in 1861. One non-producing well on the farm, 
650 feet in depth. Cost $6,000. Located on the river¬ 
side or bank. Owned by the company. Have one port¬ 
able engine. Depth of first sandrock, 125 feet—12 feet 
thick; second sand, 245 feet—25 feet thick. Depth of 
driving-pipe, 35 feet. This farm fronts on the river, 
running back and crossing Pithole Creek in the form of 
an L. The company have surveyed out leases on the 
Creek, inviting capitalists to invest. 

Armstrong Farm .—On north side of Allegheny river 
in President township, containing 175 acres. Original 
owners, S. & J. Armstrong. Present owners, Winona 
Petroleum Company. Hussey & M‘Bride purchased 
the farm of the original, owners, and sold same to Wino¬ 
na Petroleum Company in 1865. Bounded on the north 
by Wood & M‘Kissick, east by Henry, south by river, 
west by Farrar Oil Company. Three miles from Presi¬ 
dent and three from Plumer. Bearing of river west, 
road to Plumer, northwest, to President, east. Have 
eight non-producing wells on the farm. One -well for¬ 
merly flowed 300 barrels per day. The Hussey & Me- 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 351 

Bride well flowed one month, when it was plugged, in 
consequence of an unfortunate barrel contract. [To the 
uninitiated reader, this phrase needs explanation. In 
the earlier years of the Petroleum development, many 
of the lessees were bound by the terms of their lease to 
furnish the royalty or landowners portion of the oil ob¬ 
tained, in barrels, thus furnishing both barrels and oil. 
When oil sold for less per barrel than the cost of the 
package or barrel, it was inconvenient, nay, impossi¬ 
ble in the majority of instances, for the lessee to fulfil his 
obligations to the landowner. The average price of bar¬ 
rels ranging from three and one half to four dollars each, 
while the oil could only command a market value of 
from twenty to thirty cents per barrel. Many valuable 
wells were plugged up or closed, and their production 
lost, from this cause. The celebrated Phillips well, on 
the Tarr Farm, was a notable instance of this kind. It 
' flowed when struck 4,000 barrels per day. The owners 
of the well being lessees, and having a clause in their 
lease requiring them to furnisli the royalty in barrels, re¬ 
fused to comply, and after a costly law suit, the matter 
was compromised or settled]. Average depth of wells, 
300 feet. Average cost $4,000. Amount of production 
not ascertained. Wells located on flat and hillside. 
Have four engines on the property. Depth of first sand- 
rock, 125 feet— 10 feet thick; second sand, 250 feet— 30 
feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 45 feet. This farm 
has a river front of 60 to 70 rods. Hills high and 
abrupt at lower corner on river. There is a small flat at 
the upper part on the river, the location of the Hussey 
& M‘Bride well. 

Henry Farm .—On north side of Allegheny river, 
in President township, containing 150 acres. Original 
owner, J. Henry. Present owners, Hussey and M‘Bride. 


352 


PETKOLIA. 


Purchased in 18G0. Bounded on the north by M‘Kis- 
sick & Ludlow, east by Culbertson, south by river, and 
west by Armstrong. Four miles to Plumer, and three 
to President. Bearing of river northwest. There are 
six non-producing wells on the farm, some of them so in 
consequence of not being worked, and one well in pro¬ 
gress. The Orchard well formerly flowed 75 barrels 
per day, and the Walnut Tree well pumped 15 barrels 
per day. Doing nothing now. Average depth of wells 
300 feet. Cost of same $4,000. Oil is obtained at a 
depth of from 240 to 300 feet. Commenced producing 
in 1861 and 1862, and produced several thousand barrels. 
Wells located on flat and owned by company. Have 
four engines, portable and stationary, on property. Depth 
of first sandrock, 125 feet—10 feet thick ; second sand, 
250 feet—30 feet thick ; third sand not found. Depth 
of driving-pipe on river, 45 feet, deeper back toward 
the bluff. Warren & Brother are pumping oil from 
Pithole over the hills in pipes, and have their tankage 
on the farm. They contemplate removing their refinery 
from Plumer to this place. 

A new town is springing up called Henryville, from 
being on the Henry Farm, and at Henry Bend. It al¬ 
ready boasts of hotels, stores, shops, dwellings, &c. 
Is a good shipping point, for both river and rail. The 
flat is broad, presenting a fine location for a town, and 
is well located for oil purposes. The Warren and 
Franklin Railroad passes through, and intend building 
a station at this point. 

Culbertson Farm .—On north side of Allegheny 
river, and on Muskrat Run, in President township, con¬ 
taining 150 acres of land. Original owner, H. Culbert¬ 
son. Present owner, Beckman Oil Company. Three 
and a half miles from Walnut Bend, two and a half from 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 353 

President. Bearing of river northwest, Muskrat Run 
southwest. Road to President east, to Plurner north¬ 
west. There are four non-producing wells, and one in 
progress. One formerly pumped five barrels per day 
for four months, and then ceased. Average depth of 
wells 350 feet, Cost of same $5,000. Commenced pro¬ 
ducing in June, 1864. Total production, 1,500 barrels. 
Wells located on the flat, and owned by the company. 
Four portable and stationary engines on the property. 
Depth of first sandrock, 125 feet—10 feet thick ; second 
-sand, 225 feet—30 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe 45 
feet—less near river. Muskrat Run here empties into 
the Allegheny. On this Run alone are eight wells, 
all non-producing — on Ludlow and J. M. M‘Cabe 
tracts, part of them belonging to a Michigan Company, 
and part to a Boston Company. 

Culbertson Farm.— On Allegheny river, and on 
Muskrat and Culbertson Runs, in President township. 
Contains 190 acres. Original owner, A. Culbertson. 
Present owner, Commercial Oil Company. Purchased 
in 1864. Bounded on the north by Ludlow, east by 
M‘Crea, south by river, west by Culbertson. Two miles 
from President, five from Plumer. Bearing of river 
northwest, Muskrat Run, southwest, Culbertson Run, 
southwest. Road to Plumer over the hill northwest, to 
President southeast. Have seven non-producing wells, 
— two on Culbertson Run. Some of these wells would 
doubtless produce some oil if worked, but not in mate¬ 
rial quantity. Average depth of wells, 300 feet. Aver¬ 
age cost of same, $4,000. Wells located on flat, and 
owned by lessees and Company. Have four portable 
and stationary engines on property. Depth of first 
sandrock, 130 feet—12 feet thick ; second sand, 260 feet 
—25 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 50 feet. 


354 


PETROLIA. 


This property was purchased of A. Culbertson by 
C. Curtiss, and stocked by him in Commercial Oil Com¬ 
pany, of Philadelphia. There are about 60 acres of flat 
on the river, and some fine leases on Culbertson Run, 
also some excellent territory on Muskrat Run. Rail¬ 
road crosses on the flats. Hills gently elevating. 

M' Greet Farm. —On north and west side of Alle 
gheny river, and on Culbertson Run, contains 404 acres. 
Original owners, H. & J. M‘Crea. Present owners, 
Eagle Rock Oil Company. Purchased in 1864. Bound¬ 
ed on the north by M‘Calmont and Griffin, east by Grif¬ 
fin and river, south by river, west by river and Culbert¬ 
son. Is in President township. One mile from Presi¬ 
dent, extending up the river opposite, and five miles 
from Plumer. Bearing of river south, west, and north¬ 
west, making a short bend. Road to Plumer north¬ 
west, to Pithole City northwest, to President east and 
north. There are three wells on the farm, which will 
produce when worked an aggregate of 20 barrels per 
day; seven non-producing wells, and three in progress. 
Commenced producing in 1861. Average depth of wells, 
550 feet. Average cost, $6,000. Wells located on flat, 
and one on Culbertson Run. Owned by the company 
and lessees. Have eight engines on the property. 
Depth of first sandrock, 178 feet—14 feet thick; second 
sand, 275 feet—30 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 50 
feet. Here is a broad flat, good territory for oil opera¬ 
tions, and good land for cultivation and for building 
purposes. The young and flourishing city of Eagle 
Rock is being built upon it. This property was pur¬ 
chased by C. Curtiss, and stocked by him in the Eagle 
Rock Oil Company, of Philadelphia. This point is more 
generally known as M‘Crea Landing, one of the best 
on the river, and has been the principal shipping point 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 355 

for the Pithole oil. There are 215 houses already built, 
comprising dwellings, stores, hotels, warehouses, <fcc. 
The Warren and Franklin Railroad crosses, and have a 
station and depot built here. Hills gently elevating 
on lower part, on upper portion high and abrupt. This 
is the location of Elliott’s Ferry, crossing the river to 
the village of President. 

Clapp Farm. —On south and east side of Allegheny 
river, and on M‘Crea Run and on Hemlock Creek, in 
President township, containing 8,400 acres. Original 
owner, R. Clapp. Present owner, President Petroleum 
Company. Purchased in 1864. Bounded on the north 
by river and Elliotts, east by Tionesta township, south 
by Pine Grove, west by Blakely and others. Fourteen 
miles from Oil City, and six from Tionesta. Bearing of 
river south, west, and northwest, M‘Crea Run, north¬ 
east, Hemlock Creek, northwest. Road to Tionesta, 
north, to Venango City southwest. There are fifteen 
wells, all non-producing, some are in progress of drill¬ 
ing, and others are idle. Average depth of wells, 500 
feet. One well drilled by water-power, at mouth of Mc- 
Crea Run, is over 900 feet deep. Average cost of wells, 
$4,000. Wells located on the flat and owned by the 
company. Have five engines. Depth of first sandrock, 
124 feet—11 feet thick ; second sand, 230 feet—10 feet 
thick. In Water-wheel well, a hard sandrock was found 
at the depth of 700 feet, 24 feet thick. 

On the lower end of the property there are four old 
wells, one. called the Hemlock Shade well, belonging to 
Jesse Heydrick (leased), producing when pumped 
about five barrels per day. The M‘Crea and Cherry 
Run Petroleum Company have territory back from the 
river—one well 600 feet deep, non-producing, not ope¬ 
rating at present. The President Company’s land ex- 


356 


PETEOLIA. 


tends some five miles up Hemlock Creek, and some four 
miles up Porcupine Creek. Coal is supposed to be in 
the hills, but no bank has yet been opened. There is a 
large amount of good operating territory on this prop- 
erty. The larger portion of the land lies on the hills, 
on which there is a large amount of timber, pine, hem¬ 
lock, and other varieties. 

Harper Farm .—On south and east side of Alleghe¬ 
ny river, in President township, containing 100 acres. 
Original owner, R. E. Harper. Present owner, Great 
Western Oil Company. Purchased in 1864. Bounded 
on the north by river and Clapp, east and south by Clapp, 
west by Clapp and river. Fourteen miles from Oil 
City, six miles from Tionesta. Bearing of river south¬ 
west and west. Roads to President and Tionesta east 
and north. Have two producing wells when operated, 
pumping three barrels each daily; two non-producing, 
one formerly flowed at first, but was of brief duration. 
Average depth, 450 feet. Average cost, $5,000. Wells 
located on flat, and owned by the Company. Have three 
engines on property. Depth of first sandrock, 124 feet 
—11 feet thick; second sand, 230 feet—10 feet thick; 
third sand not found as a distinct rock. Depth of 
driving-pipe 25 feet. This tract lies on the flat below 
the mouth of Hemlock Creek, the Clapp farm bounding 
it on all but the river side. There is a small island in 
the river opposite the mouth of Hemlock Creek, on 
which is one well. Is producing, but not in paying 
quantities. Owners name not ascertained. 

President .—This is a small village on the Allegheny 
river and Hemlock Creek, at the confluence of the latter 
with the former, and contains several dwellings, one 
excellent hotel, two stores, one grocery, a custom grist¬ 
mill, one water, and one steam saw-mill. Population, 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 357 

about 300. There was formerly a blast-furnace in ope¬ 
ration here on the Creek, supplied with ore taken from 
the President Company’s property, on which it is found 
in great quantity. Both white and yellow pine timber, 
also Hemlock and oak, are in abundance on same; a 

larger portion of the village is on the Elliott tract. 

#• 

Elliott Farm .—On east side of Allegheny river, and 
north side of Hemlock Creek, containing 200 acres. Ori¬ 
ginal owner, R. P. Elliott. Present owner, Farrar Oil 
Company, of Boston. Purchased in 1864. Bounded 
on the north by Elliott, east by Clapp, south by Clapp, 
west by river. Six miles from Tionesta. Bearing of 
river south, Hemlock Creek northwest. Road to Ti¬ 
onesta, north. Have three non-producing wells. Aver¬ 
age depth, 483 feet. Average cost, from $3,000 to $5,000. 
Wells located on flat and owned by Company. Have 
two portable engines on property. No regular oil bear¬ 
ing sandrock found here, the only kind met with being 
red sandstone, varying in depth and irregular. Four 
acres were sold out to Dr. Smiley and others, on which 
are three wells drilled ; four more derricks where wells 
were commenced but not completed. One about 300 
feet in depth. Second sandrock, 300 feet deep. Depth 
of driving-pipe, nineteen feet. 

Between this and the President Petroleum Com¬ 
pany’s jiroperty, are some seven derricks, on a tract 
formerly sold to Dr. Smiley. There are only three 
wells on the tract. Is now owned by Messrs. Brog- 
nard & Richardson. Depth of wells not ascertained, 
there being no one operating on the place. The table 
lands at this locality extend back fifty rods or more on 
a gentle slope to the west and south, affording ample 
room for operating, and is well located for cultivating. 
It seems to be dry territory so far as yet tested. The 


358 


PETROLIA. 


future may possibly prove it different in point of re¬ 
sults. 


PITIIOLE CREEK. 

Caldwell Farm. —On Pith ole Creek, in Corn plan ter 
township. Contains seventeen acres. Original owner, 
Harrison Caldwell. Present owner or owners not as¬ 
certained. Purchased in 1864. Two and a half miles 
from Oleopolis, and two and a half from Plumer. 
Bearing of Pithole Creek west of south. Have three 
non-producing wells. Average depth, 350 feet. Aver¬ 
age cost, $4,000. Wells located on flat, and owned by 
company. Have two portable engines. Depth of first 
sandrock, 10 feet—20 feet thick ; second sand, 230 feet 
—22 feet thick; third sand, 320 feet—24 feet thick. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 10 feet. 

Here we find another distinct and separate sand- 
rock, from and at about the regular distance above the 
first sandrock, at the mouth of the Creek. This grad¬ 
ually grows deeper as we ascend the Creek, until we 
reach the Prather tract, at the mouth of Allender Run, 
where we find another distinct sandrock, and this be¬ 
comes the second sandrock. The one we strike at the 
mouth of Allender Run, at ten feet from the surface, is 
the same which is found at a depth of ninety-five feet 
on Rooker & Holmden farms, at Pithole City, and 
constitutes the first sandrock of that locality. Conse¬ 
quently, we find that the third sandrock on the Holm¬ 
den farm is the first sandrock at the mouth of the Creek. 
The grade of the Oil City and Pithole Railroad is 313 
feet in six and a half miles, the distance from Oleopolis 
to the Holmden farm. The difference in depth of the 
first sandrock at the river and the third at the Holm¬ 
den farm, is 270 feet, according to the report of drillers, 
or record of wells kept by them at the different points. 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 


359 


This is forty-three feet less than the grade of the rail¬ 
road. This difference may be accounted for in the dip 
of the rock, or discrepancies in the record of the wells. 
The latter is as likely to be the case as the former. In 
descending the Creek from the Holmden farm, we lose 
one sandrock at or near the mouth of Allender Run, 
and another at or near the upper line of the Pithole Oil 
Company’s territory, on the M‘Calmont farm. So that 
if this theory is correct, the oil which is found in the 
second sandrock on the river, is in the same strata of 
sandrock which constitutes the fourth sandrock at the 
Holmden farm, and may account for the not finding a 
third sandrock on the river. Here can doubtless be 
found the solution of the vexed question raised by the 
different operators in relation to the seeming geological 
“fault” 

Shaw Tract .—On Pithole Creek, in Cornplanter 
township. Contains ten acres. Original owner, E. 
Shaw. Present owners, Dill Oil Company, Hope Oil 
Company, Penn Yan Oil Company, International Oil 
Company, and Baily. Purchased in 1864. Each com¬ 
pany have from one to two acres. Is two and a half 
miles from Plumer. Bearing of Creek southwest, 
road to Plumer north. Have six non-producing wells, 
and one in progress. All have been tested, but yielded 
no oil. Average depth of wells, 650 feet. Average 
cost, $6,000. Wells located on the flat, and owned by the 
companies. Have one portable engine. Depth of first 
sandrock, 50 feet—20 feet thick ; second sand, 240 feet; 
third sand, 360 feet—25 feet thick each. Depth of 
driving-pipe, 12 feet. 

Shaw Farm .—On Pithole Creek, in Cornplanter 
township, containing 100 acres. Original owner, John 


360 


PETROLIA. 


Shaw. Present owner, Syracuse Oil Company. Pur¬ 
chased in 1865. Two and a half miles from Plumer. 
Bearing of Creek southwest. Road to Plumer north, 
to Oleopolis southwest. Have one non-producing well, 
700 feet deep. Cost, $7,000. Located on the flat, 
and owned by the company. Have one engine on 
property. Depth of first sandrock, 50 feet—20 feet 
thick; second sand, 240 feet—25 feet thick ; third sand, 
360 feet—25 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 12 
feet. 

M^Fissick Tract —On Pithole Creek, in President 

township, containing 100 acres. Original owner,- 

Keyser. Present owners supposed to be Baltimore 
Petroleum Company, so reported to us in the absence 
of any one knowing. Bearing of Creek southwest. To 
Plumer two and a half miles. Road to Plumer north, 
to Oleopolis south. One non-producing well, located 
on the flat, and owned by the company. Have one en¬ 
gine. Sandrocks, &c., not ascertained. The territory 
appears to be of little value for oil purposes. Future 
developments may dispel these appearances. 

Wood Farm —On Pithole Creek, in President and 
Cornplanter township, containing 139 acres. Original 
owner, Luther Wood. Present owners, Yenango Region 
Oil Company of Chicago, and Excelsior Oil Company of 
Hew York, Cleveland Company, and others, in small 
tracts. Purchased in 1864. Bounded on the north by 
Rickets, east by Ludlow, south by Armstrong, west by 
Shaw. Three miles from Oleopolis, three and a half 
from Pithole City, and two and a half from Plumer. 
Bearing of Pithole Creek south and west. Road to 
Plumer west, to Pithole City north, to President east, 
railroad south. Ho producing wells; ten non-produ- 



LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 361 

cing on Excelsior, two on Cleveland, two in progress on 
Cleveland, and one on Venango Region Oil Company’s 
tract. Average deptli of wells, 600 feet, some of them 
700 feet. Average cost, $6,000. Wells located on 
flat, and owned by the companies. Have six engines 
on the property. Depth of first sandrock, 260 feet—20 
feet thick ; second sand, 390 feet—25 feet thick ; third 
sand not distinct, loose and shelly. Depth of driving- 
pipe, 15 feet. There is a mill-dam and saw-mill at this 
point, a fine water power—known as L. Wood’s mill. 
This mill has furnished large quantities of lumber to the 
oil operators. On a reserve of two acres, is the resi¬ 
dence of Mr. Wood, a store, and barn. The flat varies 
in width from ten to thirty rods. Hills on each side 
high and rugged. 

Ficlcets Farm —On Pithole Creek and on Hemlock 
Run, in Cornplanter and President township, contain¬ 
ing 160 acres. Original owners, J. & A. Rickets. 
Present owners, Faunce & Auburn, Rickets Bros., and 
Wadsworth & Smith. Purchased in 1864. Bounded 
on the north by Wood, east by Prather, south by Wood 
& M‘Kissick, west by Hodge. Two and a half miles 
from Plumer, and same distance from Pithole. Bear¬ 
ing of Pithole Creek south. Road to President east, 
Plumer west, Pithole City north, and railroad south. 
There are seven non-producing wells on the farm. 
Average depth of wells, 600 feet. Average cost, 
$6,000. Wells located on flat and bluffs of Hemlock 
Run. Owned by companies and lessees. Have six por¬ 
table engines on the property. Depth of first sandrock, 
270 feet—20 feet thick; second sand, 300 feet—25 
feet thick; third sand, 425 feet—not distinct. Depth 
of driving-pipe, 12 feet. Apparently dry territory. 

Wood Farm —On Pithole Creek, containing 150 

16 


362 


PETROLIA. 


acres. Original owners, L. Wood and S. M. Hodge. 
Present owners, Phillips Petroleum Company and Hew 
World Petroleum Company. Purchased in 1864. 
Bounded on the north by Rickets, east by Prather, 
south by Rickets & Shaw, west by Hodge. Two miles 
from Pitliole City, and four miles from Oleopolis. 
Bearing of the Creek south. Road to Plumer west, to 
Pithole City north. Hine non-producing wells on the 
farm—five on the Phillips Company, and four on Hew 
World Company’s land. Average depth, 700 feet; 
one over 1,000 feet, drilling for a test well. Wells lo¬ 
cated on flats, and owned by companies. Seven porta¬ 
ble engines on the property. Depth of first sandrock, 
270 feet—20 feet thick ; second sand, 300 feet—25 feet 
thick ; third sand, 405 feet—not distinct—shelly. 

Prather Farm —On Pithole Creek and on Allender 
Run, in Cornplanter and Allegheny township, containing 
100 acres. Original and present owners, Prather Bros. 
Bounded on the north by Woods and others, east by 
M‘Kinley, south by Creek, west by Hatch and others. 
One and a half miles from Pithole City, and three miles 
from Plumer. Bearing of Pithole Creek south, west, 
and north of west, Allender Run southeast. Road 
to Oleopolis south, Pithole City north. Ho producing 
wells ; three non-producing—one on corner by mill and 
two on Creek on east side on the bluff. Have two en¬ 
gines. Prather’s saw-mill is located on the Creek just 
below the mouth of Allender Run, propelled by both 
water and steam. Depth and cost of wells not ascer¬ 
tained. Depth of first sandrock, 10 feet—30 feet thick; 
second sand, 280 feet—20 feet thick; third sand, 400 
feet—25 feet thick; fourth sand, 525 feet, not distinct. 

Falce Farm. —On Allender Run, in Cornplanter 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 363 

township. Contains sixty acres. Original owmer, 

-Lake. Present owner, New York Star Petroleum 

and Mining Company. Purchased in the fall of 1864. 
Two and a half miles from Plumer, and one and a half 
from Pithole City, and three quarters of a mile from 
Prather’s mill, at the mouth of the Run. West end of 
the farm half a mile from west Pithole Creek. Have 
two w r ells drilled, ready for testing. Average depth, 
750 feet. Average cost, $7,500. Located on flat, and 
owned by company. Have two portable engines. 
Depth of first sandrock, 36 feet—84 feet thick ; second 
sand, 235 feet—18 feet thick; third sand, 574 feet—20 
feet thick ; fourth sand, 640 feet—15 feet thick. Depth 
of driving-pipe, 36 feet on centre of tract; 21 feet on 
-west end of farm. 

Balliet Farm .—On Allender Run, in Cornplanter 

township. Contains forty acres. Original owner,- 

Reynolds. Present owners, Lehigh Oil Company of 
Lehigh County. Purchased in 1863. Two and a half 
miles from Plumer, one and a half miles from Pithole 
City. There are two non-producing wells, and three 
in progress. The two wells drilled are testing. Aver¬ 
age depth, 740 feet. Average cost, $8,000. Wells 
located on flat and owned by lessees. Five engines, 
portable and stationary, on the property. Depth of 
first sandrock, 25 feet—54 feet thick; second sand, 233 
feet—20 feet thick; third sand, 455 feet—35 feet thick ; 
fourth sand, 548 feet—25 feet thick. Depth of driving- 
pipe, 25 feet. Drillers record shows a fifth sandrock 
at the depth of 613 feet, and a sixth sandrock at 
the depth of 710 feet. Above this tract and below the 
territory of the Central Basin Oil Company, are four 
wells begun. None producing. Have the appearance 
of being abandoned. 




364 


PETROLIA. 


Reynolds Farm .—On Allender Run, in Cornplanter 
township. Original owner, Central Basin Oil Com¬ 
pany. Two and a half miles from Plainer, two and a 
half from Pitliole City. Have one non-producing well, 
and one in progress. Depth, 883 feet. Cost, $7,000. 
Located on flat. Owned by company and lessees. 
Have two engines. Depth of sandrocks, &c., not ascer¬ 
tained accurately. Some three or four more w r ells were 
partially drilled by lessees and abandoned. 

Rickets Farm .—On Pitliole Creek, west side. Ori¬ 
ginally owned by Rickets’ heirs. Present owners, 
Phillips Bros, and Prather Bros. Purchased in 1864. 
Bounded on the north by Woods, east by Creek, south 
by Prather, west by Hatch. Bearing of Creek, south. 
No developments on the tract. Covered with timber. 
Hills rugged. Railroad crosses, passing down the 
Creek. 

Wood & Copeland Farm .—On Pith ole Creek. 
Contains 160 acres. Originally owned by L. Wood 
and H. Copeland. Present owners, Phillips Bros, and 
American Illuminating Oil Company. Purchased in 
1864. Bounded on the north by Blackmer Rooker, 
east by Reynolds, south by Prather, west by Creek. 
Five miles from river, three miles from Plumer. Bear¬ 
ing of Creek south. Road to Pithole City north, to 
Oleopolis south. No producing wells. Seven non¬ 
producing and five in progress. Average depth, 630 
feet. Average cost, $5,000. Wells located on the flat, 
and owned by lessees. Have six portable and station¬ 
ary engines on the property. Depth of first sandrock, 
60 feet—80 feet thick; second sand, 309 feet (grey)— 
5 feet thick; third sand, 342 feet—40 feet thick; 
fourth sand. 436 feet—40 feet thick; pebble-rock, 595 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 365 


feet—3 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 16 feet. 
The United States Oil Company have alternate leases 
on the Woods tract. 

On the east of this tract, bordering on the valley of 
the Creek, is the Reynolds farm. Original owner, 

- Reynolds. Present owners, Garden City Oil 

Company, Corn Exchange Oil Company, and Philpot, 
Sherman & Co. Eleven wells drilled on the farm, all 
non-producing. 

JBlcickmer Farm. —On Pithole Creek, and on west 
Pithole Creek, at the mouth of the latter, where it 
empties into main Pithole. Contains 104 acres. Ori¬ 
ginally owned by - Blackmer. Present owners, 

Prentice, Clark & Seely, of New York. The United 
States Oil Company have one fourth of the oil by vir¬ 
tue of a former lease. Purchased by the former parties 
in February, 1865. Bounded on the north by Holin- 
den, east by Rooker, south by Wood & Copeland, 
west by Ellison and others. Bearing of Creek west 
and south, west Pithole east of south. Have two wells 
drilled, both non-producing, and eighteen in progress. 
Average depth, 650 feet. Average cost, $6,000. 
Wells located on the flat. Two owned by the com¬ 
pany, and the balance by lessees. Have ten engines 
on the property. Depth of first sandrock, 180 feet— 
40 feet thick,; second sand, 350 feet—30 feet thick; 
third sand, 460 feet—30 feet thick; fourth sand, 605 
feet—13 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 12 feet. 
The fourth sand as found here, is irregular and shelly. 

Oil City and Pithole Railroad have a shipping plat¬ 
form on this tract, and the Reno, Oil Creek, and Pit- 
hole Railroad intend to have one when their road is 
finished. 

Hooker Farm .—On Pithole Creek, in Cornplanter 




3GC> 


PETROLIA. 


township. Contains 100 acres. Original owner, Wm. 
S. Rooker. Present owners, Bonta & Bates, Drew, 
and others. Purchased June 4, 1865. Bounded on the 
north by Thos. Holmden, east by Hyner, south by Rey¬ 
nolds & Copeland, west by Blackmer. Three and a 
half miles from Plumer, twelve miles from Titusville, 
and four from Shaffer. Bearing of Creek southwest 
and west. Road leading to Titusville north of west, 
Henry Bend southeast—stone road. There are seven 
producing wells on the farm, three flowing and four 
pumping; six non-producing wells, and forty-five in 
progress. The producing wells are: 110, J. R. John¬ 
son and others, 800 barrels ; No. 15, Pratt & Sumner. 
400 barrels; No. 18, Andrews, Hart & Co., 200 bar¬ 
rels ; 108, Perkins, Dunsbee and others, 400 barrels; 
No. 16, Sumner & Pratt, 200 barrels; No. 4, Williams 
lease, 30 barrels ; No. 149, 200 barrels. Daily product, 
2,230 barrels. Average depth of wells, 615 feet. 
Average cost, $6,000. Commenced producing in Au¬ 
gust, September, and October, 1865. Amount of oil 
produced, over 200,000 barrels. Wells principally on 
the flat. Some in progress on the hillside. Owned 
principally by lessees. Have fifty portable engines and 
the ordinary machinery on the property. Depth of 
first sandrock, 95 feet—35 feet thick ; second sand, 340 
feet—30 feet thick ; third sand, 440 feet—18 feet thick ; 
fourth sand, 595 feet—14 feet thick. Depth of driving- 
pipe, 23 to 25 feet. Average of bonus paid on leases, 
$3,000. On the farm are three machine shops, one ex¬ 
tra. The Pithole Petroleum Company have one well 
in operation, and claim the flat-lands of the farm. Is 
in litigation at present time. One of Button’s Patent 
Drilling Apparatus is in operation on the farm. The 
location of Prather City is on the east side of the 
Creek. From the office of the company is a fine view 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 367 

of the flats and numerous wells on this and the Holm- 
den and other farms in the famous valley of Pithole. 
The valley of the Creek is about twenty-five rods in 
width. Hills on either side not very high or abrupt, 
somewhat broken. Prather City is of few days, 
but is flourishing in growth. Prather City boasts of 
one excellent hotel, the Bonta House, built in modern 
style, and has all the latest improvements, with accom¬ 
modations for 175 guests. The entire establishment 
cost about $80,000. Its location is admirable, com¬ 
manding a fine view of the Pithole oil district. War¬ 
ren Bros. Pipe Company are pumping oil from this 
farm over the hills to Henry’s Bend, on the Allegheny 
River. Size of pipe, two inches, with a capacity of 
2,000 barrels per day. Oil is also run in pipes to the 
receiving tanks of the Pennsylvania Transportation 
Company, who have the six-inch pipe to Oleopolis. 

Holmden Farm —On Pithole Creek, Cornplanter 
township, embracing both sides of the Creek, and con¬ 
taining 160 acres. Original owner, Tlios. Holmden. 
Present owners, Wright & Chittenden. United States 
Oil Company leased the farm in the first place from 
Holmden, for a term of twenty years. Duncan & Pra¬ 
ther purchased the farm in fee from Holmden after¬ 
ward, and sold the same to Wright & Chittenden, 
September 4, 1865. The flat and hillsides are divided 
into 152 half-acre leases. Bounded on the north by 
Copeland, east by Hyner, south by Rooker, west by 
Walter Holmden. Four miles from Plumer, twelve 
miles from Titusville, seven miles from Shaffer. Bear¬ 
ing of Pithole Creek southwest, plank-road to Titus¬ 
ville north, railroad to Oleopolis south, road to Plumer 
southwest. There are twenty producing wells on the 
farm—four flowing and sixteen pumping; and 115 
wells in progress. 


368 


PETROLIA. 


The producing wells are: Frazier well, owmed by 
the United States Oil Company, commenced producing 
Jan. 7, 1865, flowing at the rate of 650 barrels per 
day, ceased to flow November 10, 1865; No. 47, Pool, 
Perry & Co., September 15th, flowing 400 barrels per 
day; Nos. 1 and 2, Twin wells, Kilgore, Keenan & Co., 
Jan. 17th and 19th, 800 barrels per day; No. 54, 
Pool, Perry & Co., August 28th, 800 barrels per day; 
No. 19, Grant well, August 2d, 450 barrels per day; 
No. 77, August 1st, 150 barrels per day, E. Deshler; 
No. 63, July 20th, 35 barrels per day, J. B. Fink; No. 
37, August 4th, Robinson & Co.; No. 73, September 
5th, Ogden, Curtiss & Co., 100 barrels; No. 35—Solv¬ 
ing—September 10th, J. Long; Nos. 104, 106, 107, 
108, 72, 79, testing. Daily production of farm, 3,685 
barrels. Average depth of w r ells, 612 feet. Average 
cost, $6,000. Commenced producing as above. Have 
produced over 360,000 barrels. Wells principally lo¬ 
cated on the flat. Several in progress on the hillside. 
Owned as above and by others in large number. One 
enterprising operator on this farm is reported to have 
sold seventeen sixteenths in his producing well. Seven¬ 
ty-five portable and stationary engines on the property. 
Depth of first sandrock, 95 feet—35 feet thick ; second 
sand, 340 feet—30 feet thick; third sand, 440 feet—18 
feet thick; fourth sand, 595 feet—14 feet thick. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 23 to 25 feet. Eureka well, No. 
148, commenced flowing November 22d, 600 barrels 
per day. Had flowed 150 barrels per day for several 
days previous. On drawing the sucker-rods, the 
above-stated increase took place. Is 618 feet deep. 
No. 76 produced 250 barrels per day, and No. 95, 150 
barrels. Several of the wells named have ceased, and 
all have fallen off materially. Other new ones have 
been struck and taken their places. Pithole City is 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 369 

located on a portion of the farm. Its rapid growth 
and similar decadence was of the first a marvel, and of 
the second a natural consequence attendant upon seasons 
ofbriet and unhealthy excitement and speculation. It 
is mentioned fully in another part of this work. 

The Pennsylvania Pipe Transportation Company 
have their receiving tanks and shipping platform on 
this farm. 

A curious phenomenon manifested itself at Pithole, 
about the last of January or first of February, 186G. 
A fire occurred, and in drawing the water to extin¬ 
guish the flames, it was discovered that it only added 
fuel to the flame. An examination of the well from 
which the water was obtained was made, and it was 
found that oil was running into it. On further exam¬ 
ination, other wells were found in like condition. The 
excitement consequent upon this discovery was very 
great. The wells were visited by thousands, and large 
prices offered for them. It was not confined to the 
wells alone. Two or three springs, in the vicinity of 
the water wells mentioned, were found to be covered 
with oil. Great was the demand for real estate in Pit- 
hole, and the excitement among the holders of leases 
thereof bordered on the ludicrous. To their view a 
new Oil Dorado had opened itself up to the light of day, 
getting weary of the slow advance of the miner’s drill. 
The first well in which oil was discovered, belonging to 
a widow lady, is only sixteen feet in depth, and from 
this over fifty barrels of oil were taken with a common 
pump. Another, and the second, is higher up on the 
hillside, twenty-three feet deep, belonging to a gentle¬ 
man named Hill. From this well were obtained over 
100 barrels of oil. These wells produced at the rate 
of five to twenty barrels per day when operated. 
From the springs near them, the owners dipped several 
16 * 


370 


PETROLIA. 


barrels per day. Some parties sank wells to a moder¬ 
ate depth, and in cases obtained oil. One of these, only 
a few feet from the widow’s well, struck a crevice in 
the surface-rock, at a depth of about twelve feet from 
the surface of the earth. The crevice, or opening, w^as 
small, but there was a fine little stream of oil running 
out from it. Another well, a short distance from Mr. 
Hill’s, was similarly affected, the water coloring with 
oil. The well of Mr. Hill was the most productive. 
The yield from these wells was of brief duration, and 
speculators on a small scale were badly bitten. The 
location of these wells is about 150 feet above the level 
of the Creek, on the second bench or table land, half a 
mile from the Creek, w T here the producing wells are 
located. Many theories were advanced as to the cause 
of this freak of nature, but the short life of the new 
producing wells spoiled most of them. It was doubtless 
an accidental affair, or Dame Nature may have been 
in a jocular mood, and intended the surprise as a 
joke. The discovery of oil at Pithole came soon 
after the thousand or so of oil companies had been 
formed, and when the bubble was fully inflated. The 
success of the first operators was more uniform than 
in any previous locality. The people of the coun¬ 
try indulged in a mania, and Petroleum w T as king. The 
new discovery added an impetus to oil stocks, and 
every thing connected with Petroleum. The speculators 
flocked to Pithole by thousands, and wdld and high the 
excitement grew. Sixteenths in producing, non-pro¬ 
ducing, and in wells that were to, but never did go 
down, were bought up eagerly, and changed hands as 
rapidly as any of the standard stocks on Wall street. 
Many fortunes were made by the lucky ones. One 
lease on the Holmdcn farm w r as speculated on until the 
total of the bonus paid amounted to $24,000, and the 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 371 

well on the same is yet to he drilled. Dealers in in¬ 
terests swarmed in all parts of the locality like the lo¬ 
custs of Egypt. Two, five, and even eight thousand 
dollars were paid for sixteenth interests in wells, and 
in exceptional cases even higher sums were obtained. 
After a short but brilliant career, the bright prospects of 
Pithole waned, and has left but a sorry-looking wreck 
behind to remind us of its former glory. 

Ilyner Farm —On Pithole Creek and on Simmonds 
Run, in Allegheny township, containing 150 acres. 
Original owner, R. Hyner. Present owners, Botolph 
Oil Company, of Boston, and Hyner Oil Company. 
Purchased in July, 18G4, by the Botolph Oil Company. 
Hyner Oil Company purchased in February, 1865. 
Bounded on the north by M‘Kinney, east by Manross 

and M‘Cammon, south by-, west by Holmden & 

Rooker. Bearing of Pithole Creek southwest, Sim¬ 
monds Run northwest. On the Botolph Oil Company’s 
tract there are seven producing wells—four flowing 
and three pumping; two non-producing, and seven in 
progress. The producing wells are the Homestead 
well, formerly flowed 500 barrels of oil per day, now 
pumping five barrels per day; No. 2, Stevenson, flow¬ 
ing about 175 barrels per day; No. 9, flowing about 
50 barrels; No. 5, Arietta, flowing 250 barrels; No. 
14, pumping 25 barrels; No. 15, pumping 50 barrels; 
No. 23, flowing 25 barrels. Kate and Annie well, non¬ 
producing. Estimated daily product, 500 barrels. 
Average depth of wells, 615 feet. Average cost, $6,500. 
Commenced producing from June to November, 1865. 
Have produced over 50,000 barrels. Wells located on 
flat and hillside. Owned by company and lessees. 
Have ten portable engines on the property. 

On the Hyner Oil Company’s tract there are no 



372 


PETROLIA. 


producing wells as yet. Have ten wells testing with 
good indications. Average depth of wells, 670 feet. 
Average cost, $6,000. Wells located on the flat and 
hillside. Owned by company and lessees. Have ten 
portable engines. The first sandrock is the surface- 
sand, so-called, 50 feet thick; second sand, 100 feet 
deep on the flat, and 145 feet on hillside—from 60 to 
100 feet thick; third sand, 500 feet deep on the flat, 
and 505 feet on hillside—from 20 to 40 feet thick; 
fourth sand, 565 feet deep on flat, 600 feet on bluffs— 
from 10 to 68 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 10 
feet on hillside and 18 feet on flat. Adamsville, a new 
town—one of the mushroom creations of the oil devel¬ 
opment, is located on Hyner Oil Company’s tract, lying 
back from the Creek, on Simmonds Run—the Botolph 
Oil Company’s tract lying on Pithole Creek, and em¬ 
bracing the mouth of the Run. The flats are narrow ; 
the hills gently elevated and broken, not very high. 
The Botolph is better known as the Boston Oil Com¬ 
pany—Botolph being Boston in modern English. The 
Homestead well is their first well. Commenced pro¬ 
ducing in June, 1865. Ceased flowing August 30, 
1865. Only a small portion of the farm lies on the 
Creek, the northwest corner crossing, embracing the 
ground occupied by the Homestead well. 

Copeland Farm —On Pithole Creek, in Cornplanter 
township, containing 106 acres. Original owner, P. S. 
Copeland. Present owners, A. G. Mowrey and D. H. 
Burtiss. Copeland has a reserve of five acres on the 
Creek flat. Purchased in 1865. Bounded on the north 
by Dunham, east by M‘Kinney, south by S. Holmden, 
west by Lyons. Bearing of Creek west of south. 
Four miles from Plumer, twelve from Titusville, six 
miles from Shaffer. There are eight producing wells—• 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FAEMS. 373 

four flowing and four pumping, as follows : Rice well, 
No. 1, flow’ing 300 barrels; No. 2 well, flowing 150 
barrels ; Clara well, floAving 300 barrels ; No. 84, Bur- 
tiss well, flowing 800 barrels; Satterlee well, pumping 
00 barrels per day ; No. 185, pumping 25 barrels ; No. 
145, pumping 20 barrels; No. 139, pumping 25 barrels. 
Estimated daily product, 1,000 barrels. On A\ r est side 
are five w r ells, doing nothing. Including these, there 
are sixty-two wells in progress. Average depth of Avells, 
025 feet. Average cost, $0,000. Bonus paid for 
leases, in addition to the royalty of one half the oil, 
from $500 to $4,000. Wells commenced producing in 
October, 1805. Located on flat and hillside. Owned 
as above stated, and by numerous other parties, lessees. 
There are sixty portable and stationary engines on the 
property. Depth of the first sandrock on the flat, 120 
feet, on hillside, 170 feet—00 feet thick; second sand 
on flat, 359 feet, on hillside 385 feet—30 feet thick; 
third sand, 440 feet on flat, and 480 feet on hillside— 
25 feet thick; fourth sand, 587 feet on flat, and 004 
feet on hillside—20 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe 
on flat, 27 feet, on hillside, from 30 to 45 feet. TAventy 
of the Avells in progress are on the reserve of five acres 
belonging to Copeland, on the flat. Pitliole Creek Petro¬ 
leum Company have leased the reserve, giving Copeland 
one fourth of the oil as royalty. The Morey House, 
one of the largest and best kept hotels in the Oil Re- 
cion, is located on the table lands of this farm. 

McKinney Farm —On Pithole Creek, in Allegheny 
township, containing seventy-five acres. Original 
oAvner, W. M‘Kinney. Present owner, Second Na¬ 
tional Petroleum Company, of New York. Purchased 
in February, 18G5. Bounded on the north by DaAVSon, 
east by Ball, south by Morey, west by Copeland. 


374 


PETROLIA. 


Bearing of Creek west of south. Have five producing 
wells, all pumping—No. 6, 35 barrels per day ; No. 10, 
35 barrels; No. 11, 200 barrels; Island well, 50 bar¬ 
rels ; and one other well producing a small amount. 
Estimated daily production, 140 barrels. There are 
fifty wells in progress, some with the usual success— 
drilling-tools fast in the bottom. Average depth of 
wells, 625 feet on the flat, and 660 feet on the bluff. 
Average cost, 87,000. Commenced producing in the 
summer of 1865. Wells located on flat and hillside, 
or bluff. Owned principally by lessees. Have thirty 
portable and stationary engines on the property. Depth 
of first sandrock, 158 feet on the bluff, on the flat not 
ascertained—52 feet thick; second sand, 404 feet on 
the bluff—24 feet thick; third sand, 472 feet on bluff— 
27 feet thick; fourth sand, 633 feet—12 feet thick. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 25 feet on the flat, and 54 feet 
oil the bluff. At the depth of 520 feet, there is a red 
sandstone, 12 feet thick. The Island well formerly 
flowed 250 barrels per day. Ceased flowing November 
21, 1865. Hill and table lands on this tract are gently 
elevating, affording a fine field for oil operations. 
There is one of Atwood’s Patent Drilling Machines on 
the farm, professing to do away with derricks, &c. 
Like all the other apparatus devised for this purpose, it 
has so far met with but partial success. 

Ball Farm —On Pithole Creek, cast side, in Alle¬ 
gheny township, containing 106 acres. Original 
owner, C. M. Ball. Present owners, S. Zents, J. G. 
Dale, M. Henry, and J. T. Sawyer. Purchased in June, 
1865. Pithole Petroleum Company have a lease of 
four acres, comprising all the bottom land of the farm, 
on which there is one well pumping twenty-five barrels 
per day. Bounded on the north by Blank, east by 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 375 

Stewart, south by Hyner & Manross, west by M‘Kin- 
ney and Creek. Five miles from Plumer, ten miles 
from Titusville Bearing of Creek west of south, plank- 
road to Titusville west of north, road to Eagle Rock east 
of south. Is four miles from Shaffer. Seventeen wells 
in progress, none tested; have good indications. The 
wells, two in number, one on the Pithole Petroleum 
Company’s, and the other on the Sawyer tract, are the 
only producing ones on the farm. Average depth of 
wells, 650 feet. Average cost, $6,000. Wells located 
on hillside and owned by lessees. Have fifteen por¬ 
table engines on property. Depth of first sandrock, 
124 feet—24 feet thick; second sand, 357 feet deep 
on the flat, and 400 feet on hillside—40 feet thick; 
third sand, 457 feet on flat, 510 feet on hillside—30 
feet thick; fourth sand, 495 feet on flat, and 610 on 
hillside—20 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 30 feet. 
On Sawyer’s tract are nine wells in progress—none at 
the proper depth to test thoroughly, one is pumping 
about fifteen barrels per day. This tract embraces 
eighty acres off from the north side of the farm. 

Bali Town is a new and flourishing village, located 
on the table lands of this farm, on the road leading to 
Eagle Rock City, on the Allegheny River. The town 
was surveyed into town-lots in July, 1865. In Decem¬ 
ber there were 100 houses, with a population estimated 
at 1,000, having stores, shops, and all the appearances 
of like villages. 

Dawson Centre, located on the Sawyer tract, is a 
young and flourishing village of few days’ growth, 
having stores, hotels, shops, dwellings, &c., giving a 
fine show of life and energy, and will compare well 
with some of its neighbors. 

Dawson Farm .—On Pithole Creek, in Allegheny 


376 


PETROLIA. 


township. Contains 175 acres. Original, owner, J. 
Dawson. Present owners, W. B. Tuell & Co., Miner 
& Holmes, Burtiss, Hart & Co., and J. T. Sawyer. 
Purchased in 1865. Bounded on the north by Blank, 
east by Ball, south by M‘Kinney, west by Copeland. 
Five miles from Plumer, ten miles from Titusville. 
Bearing of Creek west of south. Road to Plumer 
southwest. Plank-road to Titusville w T est of north. 
One producing well, the Hoosier, on Tuell tract, pump¬ 
ing thirty barrels per day. Eight wells in progress on 
the Burtiss tract, thirteen in progress on Tuell’s tract, 
five in progress on Sawyer tract. There are ten non¬ 
producing wells on the farm. Average depth of wells, 
630 feet. Average cost, $5,500. Commenced produc¬ 
ing in August, 1865. Has produced over 500 barrels. 
Location of wells on flat and table land. Owned prin¬ 
cipally by lessees. Hoosier well is owned by Tuell & 
Co. Have twenty portable engines on the property. 
Depth of first sandrock, 124 feet—30 feet thick ; second 
sand, 357 feet—40 feet thick; third sand, 457 feet— 
30 feet thick; fourth sand, 595 feet deep—20 feet 
thick. Depth of driving-pipe, from 30 to 40 feet. The 
valley at this point is about twenty rods wide. Hills 
gently sloping, affording a fine location for wells, build¬ 
ings, and all the various operations of the oil business. 
The plank-road to Titusville is now completed to this 
point, also the plank to Miller farm, on Oil Creek. 

Blank Farm —On Pithole Creek, in Allegheny 
township, containing 106 acres. Original owner, 
Samuel Blank. Present owners, Irvine Petroleum 
Company, of Hew York, and Frank W. Allin. Pur¬ 
chased in March, 1865. Bounded on the north by J. 
Blank, east by Pithole Creek, south by Dawson, west 
by Dunham. Bearing of Creek south. Two non-pro- 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 377 

ducing wells—one pumping and one testing. Average 
depth, 688 feet; one to be drilled 750 feet. Average 
cost, $7,500. Wells located on flat and on hillside 
Owned by companies. Have three engines on property. 
Depth of first sandrock, 130 feet—12 feet thick; sec¬ 
ond sand, 400 feet—8 feet thick; third sand, 448 feet 
—24 feet thick; fourth sand, 645 feet—6 feet thick. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 18 feet on the flat, and 65 feet 
on the table lands. 

Blank Farm —On Pithole Creek, in Allegheny 
township, containing eighty acres. Original owner, J. 
Blank. Present owner, Pithole Petroleum Company. 
Bounded on the north by Haworth, east by M‘Caslaw, 
south by Ball, west by Pithole Creek. Ten miles from 
Titusville, five miles from Plumer. Bearing of Creek 
southwest. Four wells in progress, none tested. 
Average depth, 650 feet. Cost, $7,000. Located on 
flat, and owned by company. Have four portable en¬ 
gines. Depth of first sandrock, 123 feet—12 feet 
thick; second sand, 380 feet—10 feet thick; third 
sand, 443 feet—22 feet thick; fourth sand, 500 feet— 
15 feet thick; fifth sand, 598 feet—12 feet thick. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 30 feet. On the tract between 
this and the Haworth farm, are two wells in progress, 
not ready for testing. Here is a large scope of terri¬ 
tory unoccupied, a broad flat, covered with cherry and 
other woods, and under-brush; in appearance much 
like the Rooker, Holmden, and Mowrey farms. Seems 
to be a good field for the oil seeker to invest his money 
in. 


Ilawortli Farm .—On Pithole Creek and on Dunham 
Run. Contains thirty-five acres. Original owner, 
-Haworth. Present owners, G. L. & J. W. Ha- 



378 


PETROLIA. 


worth. Purchased in 1859. Bounded on the north 
by Young, east by Anderson, south by Blank, west by 
Blank. Bearing of Creek west, Dunham Run south. 
Have two non-producing wells, one in progress, and 
two testing. Have two engines. Depth of first sand- 
rock, 125 feet—25 feet thick; second sand, 305 feet— 
45 feet thick; third sand, 455 feet—25 feet thick; 
fourth sand, 510 feet—25 feet thick. Depth of driving- 
pipe, 9 feet on the flat, 27 feet on the bluff. This is 
the locality of Haworth’s mill, formerly a grist-mill, 
now converted into a machine shop. Plank-road 
crosses ; to Titusville eight miles. 

Caslaw Farm —On Pithole Creek valley, in Alle¬ 
gheny township, containing 126 acres. Original owner, 
G. L. Haworth. Present owner, Genesee & Venango 
Oil Company, of Batavia, 1ST. Y. Purchased in Janu¬ 
ary, 1865. Bounded on the north by Anderson, east 
by Siggins, south by Culver, west by Blank. Two 
and a half miles from Pithole City; ten and a half 
miles from Titusville by plank-road. There are two 
non-producing wells, and six in progress. Average 
depth of wells, 625 feet. Average cost, $5,500. Wells 
located on the flat. Owned by company and lessees. 
Have seven portable engines on property. Depth of 
first sandrock, 125 feet—20 feet thick; second sand, 
365 feet—45 feet thick; third sand, 455 feet—25 feet 
thick ; fourth sand, 510 feet—25 feet thick. Depth of 
driving-pipe, 9 feet. Hills at this point grow less in 
height. Land more rolling, and in better shape for 
cultivating, provided it was good for any thing in that 
line. 

On the Vanderlin tract, above the Haworth lower 
mill, are two non-producing wells. Developments not 
very extensive, the territory so far having shown but 
slight indications of oil. 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 


379 


Steicart Farm .—On Pitliole Creek, in Allegheny 

township. Original owner, - Stewart. Present 

owners not ascertained. Bounded on the north by 
Haworth, east by M‘Kinley, south by Vanderlin and 
Anderson, and west by Young. Bearing of Creek 
west and southwest. . Four non-producing and wells 
in progress. Average depth, 625 feet. Average cost, 
$6,000. Wells located on flat and hillside. Have two 
portable engines. Sandrocks not ascertained. Is the 
location of Stewart’s mill. 

Ilaworth Farm ,.—On Pithole Creek, in Allegheny 

township. Owned by- Haworth. Bounded on the 

north by Siggins & Dawson, east by Dawson and 
others, south by Marshall, west by Stewart. Bearing 
of Creek southwest. There are eight non-producing 
wells, some of them testing. Average depth, 620 feet. 
Average cost, $7,000. Wells located on flat and hill¬ 
side. Owned by lessees. Have eight portable engines. 
Depth of first sandrock, 130 feet—25 feet thick ; second 
sand, 370 feet—45 feet thick; third sand, 460 feet—25 
feet thick ; fourth sand, 515 feet—25 feet thick. Depth 
of driving-pipe, 27 feet. On this tract are sixteen der¬ 
ricks erected, called the “ sixteen derrick clump.” 
Eight are merely derricks, without development. 

Conley Farm .—On Pithole Creek, in Allegheny 

township. Original owner, -- Conley. Present 

owners, Rochester Oil Companies. Bounded on the 
north by Clark, east by Hayes and others, south by 
M‘Kinley, west by Siggins. There are five non-produc¬ 
ing wells and five in progress. Some are testing. 
Average depth, 600 feet. Average cost, $5,000. Lo¬ 
cated on the flat. Owned by companies and lessees. 
Have seven portable engines. Sandrocks, &c., not as¬ 
certained. 





380 


PETEOLIA. 


Siggins Farm .—On Pitliole Creek and M c Custin 
Run. Contains fifty-three acres. Original owner, J. 
Siggins. Present owner, Geneva Oil Company. Pur¬ 
chased in January, 1865. Bounded on the north by 
Clark & Brown, east by Dawson, south by Stewart, 
w’est by Haworth. Bearing of.Creek south. Have 
one well, producing very largely of gas, and but little 
oil. Is called the Henry Clay, or Gas well, and two 
non-producing wells, both testing. Average depth, 
631 feet. Cost of wells, $8,000. Wells located on the 
flat, and owned by Northern New York Oil Company, 
Kipp & White, Working Interest Oil Company, of Oil 
City, and others. Have two portable engines. Depth 
of first sandrock, 232 feet—45 feet thick; second sand, 
398 feet—45 feet thick; third sand, 488 feet—25 feet 
thick; fourth sand, 602 feet—25 feet thick. Depth of 
driving-pipe, 18 feet. This tract joins the Geneva & 
Venango Oil Company’s territory, and lies about fifty 
feet higher. 

Pratt Farm .—On Pithole Creek, in Allegheny 

township. Original owner, - Pratt. Present owner 

not ascertained. Bounded on the north by Brown, 
east by Haworth, south by Dawson, west by Brown. 
Bearing of Creek south, branch southwest. Three non¬ 
producing wells. One, the Pratt well, has produced 
some oil. Average depth of wells, 600 feet. Cost, 
from $5,000 to $6,000. Wells located on the flat. 
Owned by --Chichester. Rochester Petroleum Com¬ 

pany, Michigan Company, and Pomeroy have ten 
acres. Two engines on property. Sandrocks, &c., not 
ascertained. 


Van Wylde Farm .—On Pithole Creek, at the forks, 
in Allegheny township. Original owner, - Van 





LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 381 

Wykle. Present owner not ascertained. Bounded on 
the north by Pratt and others, east by Haworth, south 
by Clark, west by Beebe. Bearing of Creek east by 
south. Have two non-producing wells, over 600 feet 
deep. Cost of wells, $6,000. Located on the flat. 
Have one portable engine. Depth of first sandrock, 
203 feet; second sand, 375 feet; third sand, 450 feet; 
fourth sand, 600 feet. Just above, on the west branch 
of Pithole, is the upper Conley farm, in Allegheny 
township. Has one non-producing well, over 600 feet 
deep. Cost, $6,000. Located on the flat. A portion 
of this tract belongs to the Brooklyn Petroleum Com¬ 
pany. Above this is the M‘Garrah farm. Has one 
non-producing well, over 600 feet deep, located on the 
flat. Sandrocks same as on the Van Wykle farm. 
Hills gently elevated. Judging from present indicar 
tions, this land is better for cultivation than for oil pur¬ 
poses. 

Tyrrell Farm .—On east branch of Pithole Creek, 
above the forks. Has one non-producing well. Above 
this tract, on the Carson farm, are two wells, one re¬ 
ported as producing some oil, the other as non-produc¬ 
ing. Above the Carson is the Griffin farm, v r ith one 
non-producing well. Three engines on the three tracts. 
Here is a large scope of territory, reaching up to about 
Nealsburg. Much of the land is good for farming pur¬ 
poses, and is valuable, even if oil is not found on it in 
paying quantities. 

WEST, OR LITTLE PITIIOLE CREEK. 

Widow JTolmden Farm .—On Little Pithole, contain¬ 
ing 120 acres. Original owner, Walter Holmden ; pres¬ 
ent owners, Widow Holmden and heirs by inheritance. 
The United States Petroleum Company have a lease for a 


382 


PETROLIA. 


term of years of the farm. Bounded on the north 
by Tyrrel, east by Holm den, south by Blackmer, 
west by Smith & Reynolds. The streams are Main 
Pithole Creek, with a bearing of southwest; Little Pit- 
hole, east of south. There are no producing wells. 
Two non-producing, drilled by United States Petro¬ 
leum Company. Average depth, 615 feet. Average 
cost, $6,000. Located on the flat. Have two engines 
on the property. Depth of first sandrock, 95 
feet—35 feet thick; second sand, 340 feet—30 feet thick; 
third sand, 450 feet —18 feet thick; fourth sand, 500 
feet—13 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 23 feet. A 
part of Pithole City is located on this farm. The fourth 
sandrock found on this farm is not the regular one, 
being shelly, or in thin shells. The property is in pos¬ 
session of the heirs. The United States Oil Company, 
beyond drilling the two wells, both of which were 
failures, have done nothing; no development at the time 
of our visit. 

Lyons Farm. —On West Pithole and on Holmden 
Run, containing 110 acres. Original owners. Widow 
Lyon and heirs. Present owner, Webster Petroleum 
Company. Purchased in 1864. Bearing of Creek south¬ 
east. Have three wells, two testing, and one has the 
tubing dropped into it. The two wells testing are getting 
some oil, with very good indications. Average depth, 
700 feet. Average cost, $8,000. Located on flat. 
Webster well and Columbia well are on Holmden Run, 
and are owned by the Company. Bliss well No. 2 is 
on West Pithole. Have three portable engines. Depth 
of first sandrock, or surface, 12 feet—75 feet thick; sec¬ 
ond sand, 350 feet—3 feet thick; third sand, 450 feet— 
12 feet thick; fourth sand, 560 feet—13 feet thick. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 12 feet. The above record is ta¬ 
ken from the Bliss well No. 2, on West Pithole. 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 383 

Clark Farm. —On Little Pithole. Owned originally 
by-Clark. Present owner, Pittsburgh & Philadel¬ 

phia Petroleum Company. Contains 200 acres. Bear¬ 
ing of Creek southeast. Have four wells all in progress. 
Average depth, said to be 715 feet. Record of sand- 
rocks not ascertained. Depth of driving-pipe, 12 feet. 

Steen Farm. —On Little, or West Pithole Creek, con¬ 
taining 107 acres. Original owner, L. R. JVPKissick. 
Present owner, Paxton Petroleum Company. Purchas¬ 
ed in 1864. Three miles from Plumer, and one mile 
from Pithole City. Bearing of the stream south. There 
are five producing wells, all pumping. Average daily 
product 55 barrels. Average depth of wells, 720 feet. 
Average cost, $6,000. Commenced producing in Sept. 
1865, and later. Have shipped over 700 barrels of 
of oil. Wells located on flat and owned by lessees. 
Have nineteen portable engines. Depth of first sandrock, 
245 feet—35 feet thick; second sand, 550 feet—22feet 
thick; third sand, 608 feet—25 feet thick; fourth sand, 
713 feet—13 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 10 feet. 
The Lyons Oil Company’s well on the tract has the fol¬ 
lowing record. Depth of first sand, 229 feet—25 feet 
thick ; second sand, 459 feet—8 feet thick ; third sand, 
540 feet—16 feet thick ; fourth sand, 595 feet—23 feet 
thick. The wells that have been drilled through the 
fourth sandrock, have none of them done as well as those 
stopped in the rock. This territory is well located, and 
gives promise of being productive. 

Turner Farm. —On Little Pithole Creek, containing 
106 acres. Original owner, A. Turner. Present owner, 
Geo. Cathrall, seven twelfths ; Dr. Egbert, one twenty- 
fourth ; S. Fell, one sixteenth ; Beacon Oil Company of 
Boston, one sixteenth; Wm. Penn Oil Company’s lease 



38 4 


PETROLIA. 


embraces five acres. Bearing of Creek south. No 
producing wells. Seven wells in progress—none tested. 
Average depth, 735 feet. Cost, $6,000. Wells located 
on flat and table lands. Owned by lessees of the va¬ 
rious companies. Have seven portable and stationary 
engines. Depth of first sandrock, 101 feet, in some of 
the wells 280 to 320 feet—26 feet thick; second sand, 
583 feet—25 feet thick; third sand, 653 feet—20 feet 
thick; fourth sand, 745 feet—12 feet thick. Depth of 
driving-pipe from 10 to 40 feet, according to the loca¬ 
tion. Geo. Cathrall & Co. control the land interest. 

Vose Farm. —On Little Pithole Creek, containing 
106 acres. Original owner, Wm. Yose. Present owner, 
West Pithole Creek Petroleum Company. Purchased 
in June, 1865, for $100,000. There is one producing 
well, called the Green well. Has formerly produced 
fifty barrels per day—doing very little at the present 
time, and are experimenting on it. The lease is in liti¬ 
gation, which may account for the diminished produc¬ 
tion. There are six wells in progress. The Green well 
pumps and flows alternately when operated. Average 
depth of wells, *750 feet. Average cost, $7,000. Com¬ 
menced producing, August, 1865. Wells located on the 
flat and hillside. Owned by lessees and companies. 
Have seven portable engines. Depth of first sandrock, 
45 feet—40 feet thick; second sand, 456 feet—40 feet 
thick; third sand, 610 feet—25 feet thick; fourth sand,7l0 
feet—15 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 45 feet on 
fiat, 25 feet on hillside. The Green well struck a crevice 
of five feet in the fourth sand. We can see no reason 
why the well would not produce as much as formerly, if 
operated rightly. A Saginaw Company are drilling 
with pole tools, such as are used in sinking salt wells. 
Hills are not high, gently elevating, forming a good field 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 3S5 

for operating on. The indications here are good for oil 
production. 

1Irumegin Farm .—On West Pithole Creek, contain¬ 
ing 134 acres. Original owner R. Brumegin. Present 
owners, Brumegin Oil Company of Michigan. Pur¬ 
chased in Sept., 1865. On this tract are four wells in 
progress, none drilled to the proper depth, and fourteen 
more are to be put down by Jonathan Watson, of 
Rochester, N. Y. Heydrick Oil Company have the 
tract joining this and the Voso farm, with one non-pro¬ 
ducing well on the same. 

Austin Farm .—On West Pithole Creek, containing 
107 acres. Original owner, Sylvester Austin. Present 
owners, Davis & Parker. There are three wells in pro¬ 
gress. Average depth 700 feet. Average cost, $8,000. 
Wells on the flat. Owned by Fritz & Co., Finch & Co., 
and Kinkaid & Co. Have three portable engines. 
Depth of first sandrock, 54 feet—this is surface sand, 
and 28 feet thick ; the first sand proper, is 160 feet deep 
—20 feet thick; second sand, 598feet—23 feet thick; 
third sand, 648 feet—not through it. Depth of driving- 
pipe 52 feet. 

On the Mill Farm, above this, there is one—the Olive 
well—producing some oil, but not in large quantities, 
and four more in jnogress. The Olive well is 801 feet 
deep, and belongs to the Minerva Oil Company of New 
York. The third sandrock is split by a strata of slate, 
and is 735 feet deep—15 feet thick; fourth sand, 760 
feet—12 feet thick. Both rocks have pebbles in them. 

The Second National Oil Company of New York, 
two miles from Pleasantville, and two and a half miles 
from the Paxton House, have one well, 806 feet deep. 
Has four sandrocks. A crevice of three feet was struck 
17 


386 


PETEOLIA. 


at the depth of 708 feet. The well is pumping 100 bar¬ 
rels per day. 

At Pleasantville, half a mile toward Enterprise, there 
is one well 891 feet deep, producing 75 barrels per day, 
and one well in progress, 750 feet deep—still drilling. 
No material developments further in this direction. 
Here our explorations ended, and we resumed the same 
on the Allegheny river. 

Elliott Farm .—On Allegheny river, in President 
township. Original owner, J. S. Elliott. Present own¬ 
ers, Walter Scott Petroleum Company, of Boston, and 
Hemlock Petroleum Company, of Pittsburgh. Pur¬ 
chased in 1864 and 1865. Contains 150 acres. The 
Walter Scott Petroleum Company own 100 acres, and 
the Hemlock, 50 acres. The Walter Scott Company 
purchased in 1864, and the Hemlock in 1865. Bound¬ 
ed on the north by Brewer, east by Van Geisen, south 
by Farrar Oil Company and Fox, west by river. Half 
a mile from President, and six from Tionesta. Bearing 
of Allegheny river south. Road to Tionesta south and 
east, to President south. No producing wells on Scott 
Company’s tract. One producing very little, and two 
non-producing wells, on the Hemlock Company’s tract. 
Depth of wells, one 1,050 feet, one 530 feet, and one 600 
feet deep. Average cost of wells, $1,500 to $5,000. 
Wells located on flat. Owned, two by company, and 
one—lease—by Grant Company, of Brookville. Have 
three engines. Depth of first sandrock, 300 feet—10 
feet thick; second sand, 340 to 560 feet—five to sixteen 
feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 40 feet. 

Crea Farm .—On west side of Allegheny river, 
on the hill, in President township. Original owner, 
M. M‘Crea. Number of acres not ascertained. Pres- 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 387 

ent owner, Culbertson Oil Company. Purchased in 
1864. Bounded on the north by McCalmont, east by 
Griffin, south by Griffin and Eagle Rock Oil Company, 
and west by same. Half a mile from President and 
one mile from Eagle Rock City. Bearing of Allegheny 
river south, Culbertson Run southwest. Road to Eagle 
Rock City south and west, to Tionesta north and east. 
No producing wells. One non-producing well over 600 
feet deep. Have one engine on property. This farm does 
not come to the river. 

Griffin Farm .—On Allegheny river, west and north 
side, in President township. Original and present 
owners, Widow Griffin and heirs. Bounded on the 
north by M c Calmont, east by M‘Calmont, south by 
river, west by Culbertson Run Oil Company. One 
and a quarter miles from Eagle Rock City; three 
quarters of a mile from President. Bearing of Alle¬ 
gheny river southwest. Road to Eagle Rock City 
southwest, to Tionesta northwest. No developments 
on this farm. Hills rise abrupt from river bank, and 
are very high—barely room next to river for a road. 
The Warren & Franklin Railroad crosses on river 
bank. 

M l Calmont Farm .—On Allegheny river, north 
side, containing 100 acres. Original owner, J. Nevins. 
Present owners, Fryburgh Oil Company, of Philadel¬ 
phia. Purchased in 1864. Bounded on the north by 
M‘Calraont, east by Smith, south by river, west by 
Griffin. One and a half miles from Eagle Rock City, 
and five and a half from Tionesta. Bearing of Alle¬ 
gheny river south of west. Road to Eagle Rock City 
south of west, to Tionesta north of east. No pro¬ 
ducing wells. Two non-producing wells. Have form- 


388 


PETKOLIA. 


erly produced a little oil. Depth of wells, 548 and 400. 
Average cost, $3,000. Commenced to produce in 1863 
and 1865. Amount of oil shipped not ascertained. 
Wells located on flat next to river, and owned by 
Company. Have two stationary engines. Depth of 
first sandrock, 220 feet—15 feet thick; second sand, 340 
feet—40 feet thick; third sand, 440 feet—80 feet thick. 
Third sand not distinct—doubtful. Depth of driving- 
pipe, 40 feet. One old well produced oil formerly in 
second sandrock. There is but a small flat on upper 
corner, next to river. The balance of river front is 
bluff. Hills rising high and abrupt. Barely room for 
a road next to river. Warren & Franklin Hailroad 
crosses on river bank. This farm has 80 rods of river 
front. 

Smith Farm .—On Allegheny River, north side, and 
on Johnson’s Run, in President township. Original 
owner, D. Smith. Present owners, Oceanic Oil Com¬ 
pany, 120 acres; Mercantile Oil Company, 12 acres; 
Farrar Oil Company, of Boston, 118 acres. Purchased 
by the different companies in 1863 and 1864. Bounded 
on the north and east by M‘Calmont, south by river, west 
by Kevins. Two miles from Eagle Rock City and five 
from Tionesta. Bearing of Allegheny River south of 
west, Johnson’s Run south. Road to Tionesta north 
of east, to Eagle Rock City south of west. Two non¬ 
producing wells, belonging to Mercantile Oil Company, 
produced eighty-five barrels, and one sixty barrels. 
Formerly nine wells pumping on this tract. Farrar 
Company had formerly one. Average depth of wells : 
Mercantile Company, of Hew York, one 547 feet and 
one 468 feet; Oceanic Oil Company, one 650 feet and 
one 630 feet; Farrar Oil Company, one 670 feet and 
one 460 feet. Average cost of wells, $5,000. Com- 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 389 

menced producing in April and October, 1865. Mer¬ 
cantile Company have shipped 185 barrels; Farrar Oil 
Company, 3,000 barrels. Have six engines. Wells lo¬ 
cated on flat, and owned by companies. Depth of first 
sandrock, 172 feet—45 feet thick; second sand, 287 
feet—8 feet thick ; no third sandrock. Depth of driv¬ 
ing-pipe, 31 feet. 

3/‘ Calmont Farms —On Allegheny River and on 
Stewart’s Run, in President township, containing 200 
acres. Original and present owners, H. P. & II. C. 
M { Calmont, owning 100 acres each. Purchased in 1816, 
or thereabouts. Bounded on the north by Haworth, 
east by M‘Calmont, south by river, west by Smith. 
Two and a half miles from Eagle Rock City, four and 
a half from Tionesta. Bearing of river west, Stewart’s 
Run south ; road to Eagle Rock City west, to Ti¬ 
onesta east. Kb developments. Have one old well, 
drilled in 1860, 360 feet. Never produced any oil. 
Neither of these farms belongs to any oil company. 

Calmont Farm. —On Allegheny River, and on 
Pine and Stewart’s Run, in President township. Con¬ 
tains 212 acres. Original owner, Thos. M‘Calmont. 
Present owners, Farrar Oil Company, of Boston, and 
Samuel Duff, of Pittsburgh. Have one well, pumping 
and flowing two barrels per day of very heavy oil. 
Belongs to the Yan Dwyre Oil Association. The Far¬ 
rar Oil Company have one non-producing well. The 
Yan Dwyre well commenced producing in January, 
1866. Average depth of wells, 450 to 500 feet. Cost, 
$5,000. Wells located on flat. One owned by com¬ 
pany, and others by Yan Dwyre Oil Association, the 
latter having a lease of five acres. Have two engines. 
Depth of first sandrock, 140 feet—12 feet thick; second 


390 


PETROL1A. 


sand, 230 feet—15 feet thick; third sand, 430 feet—40 
feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 8 feet. 

Brewer Farm —On Allegheny River, south side, 
containing seventy-four acres. Original owner, J. 
Brewer. Present owner, Germania Oil Company; 
Progress Oil and Mining Company have seven and a 
half acres. Purchased in 1864. Bounded on the north 
by river, east by Yan Giesen, south by Elliott, west by 
river. One mile from President and five from Tionesta. 
Bearing of Allegheny River south of west. Road to 
President south of east, to Tionesta north of east. 
Have two wells in progress, one belonging to each com¬ 
pany. Depth of Germania Oil Company’s well, 600 
feet; Progress Oil Company’s well, 840 feet. Cost, 
from $7,000 to $8,000. Wells located on flat. Owned 
by companies. Have two portable engines. Depth of 
first sandrock, 215 feet—15 feet thick; second sand, 
295 feet—32 feet thick; third sand not found as yet. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 48 feet. 

Myres Farm. —On Allegheny River, south side, in 
President township. Original owner, James Myres. 
Present owner, Wabun Oil Company. Contains four¬ 
teen acres. Purchased in 1864. Bounded on the 
north by river, east by J. Yan Giesen, south by Yan 
Giesen, west by lands of Germania Oil Company. One 
and a half miles from President, four and a half miles 
from Tionesta. Bearing of Allegheny River west, Yan 
Giesen Run northwest. Road to President west, to 
Tionesta east. Have one old well, bored for salt many 
years ago. No further developments. 

Van Giesen Farm —On Allegheny River, south 
side, and on Yan Giesen Run, containing 116 acres. 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 391 

Original owner, J. Van Giesen. Present owner, C. 
Curtiss. Purchased in 1864. Bounded on the north 
by river, east by Sager, south by President Petroleum 
Company, west by lands of Germania and Wabun Com¬ 
panies. One and a half miles from President and four 
and a half from Tionesta. Bearing of Allegheny River 
west, Van Giesen Run northwest. Road to Tionesta 
east, to President west. No developments on this 
tract. Hills gently sloping, forming a good table land 
for operating both on river and Van Giesen Run, the 
portion lying upon the Run is said to be the best. 

Sager Farm —On Allegheny River, south side, con¬ 
taining 120 acres. Original owner, A. Sager. Present 
owner, Caledonia Oil Company. Purchased in 1864. 
Bounded on the north by river, east by Van Giesen 
heirs, south by President Petroleum Company, west by 
Van Giesen. Two miles from President, four from 
Tionesta. Bearing of Allegheny River west. Road 
to Tionesta east, to President west. Have three non¬ 
producing wells, and one in progress. Two of the 
wells are over 600 feet deep. Oil not found in paying 
quantities. Have three engines. Intend to put the 
wells down to greater depth. Sandrocks, <fcc., not 
ascertained. No one on the ground operating. 

Van Giesen Farm .—On Allegheny River, south 
side, and on Painter Run. Owned by Van Giesen 
heirs. Bounded on the north by river, east by Keeler, 
south by President Petroleum Company, west by 
Sager. Two miles from President, four from Tionesta. 
Bearing of Allegheny River west. Road to Tionesta 
east, to President west. Have three non-producing 
wells and three engines. No developments going on. 
The wells are apparently drilled to the proper depth; 
one in the bank next to river. No one on the ground. 


392 


PETKOLIA. 


J/‘ Calmont Farm —On Allegheny River, north 
side, and on Stewart’s Run, containing 400 acres. Ori¬ 
ginal owner, J. S. M‘Calmont. Present owners, Onon¬ 
daga Oil Company, Baum Tract, Cicero Oil Company, 
of Syracuse, N. Y. Purchased in 1864. Bounded on 
the north by Haworth, Church & Herbert, east by 
Holeman, south by river, west by Farrar Oil Company. 
Bearing of Allegheny River west, Stewart’s Run south¬ 
west. Four miles from Tionesta, and three miles from 
Eagle Rock City. Road to Tionesta east, to Eagle 
Rock City •west. Have five non-producing wells—one 
on river, one at mouth of Pine Run, two at or near 
mouth of Sugar Camp. Have one well pumping on 
Stewart’s Run, above Sugar Camp. Depth of wells, 
from 750 to 300 feet. Average cost, $6,000. Have no 
producing wells as yet. Wells located on flat, owned 
by company and lessees. One well belongs to Cicero 
Oil Company, of Syracuse. Have three portable en¬ 
gines on the property. 

Holeman Farm —On Allegheny River and Hole- 
man Run, containing 475 acres. Original owner, Alex¬ 
ander Holeman. Present owner, C. Curtiss. Pur¬ 
chased in the Spring of 1864. Bounded on the north 
by the Philadelphia Oil Company, east by Pierson, 
south by river, west by Onondaga Oil Company. 
Three miles from Tionesta, four from Eagle Rock City. 
Bearing of Allegheny River west, Holeman Run south¬ 
west. Road to Tionesta east, to President west, to 
Eagle Rock -west. Have one non-producing well on 
Holeman Run. Depth of well, 650 feet. Cost, about 
$6,000. Located on flat, and owned by C. Curtiss. 
Have one portable engine. Depth of first sandrock, 16 
feet—200 feet thick; second sand, 260 feet—20 feet 
thick; third sand, 564 feet—86 feet thick. Depth of 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 393 


driving-pipe, 14 feet. At the depth of 145 feet, the 
drillers had a small show of gas and oil, also at the depth 
of 265 and 564 feet. There is one well near the lower 
part of the farm, on a lease of four and a half acres on 
the river, owned by a Mr. Marshall, of New York. Is 
non-producing. Had a very good show of oil, but was 
not very thoroughly tested. 

Holeman Island .—In Allegheny River, on east side 
of President township, opposite Holeman farm. Ori¬ 
ginal owner, Alexander Holeman. Present owner, C. 
Curtiss. Contains sixty acres. Purchased in Spring 
of 1864. Bounded principally by river. Three miles 
from Tionesta and four from Eagle Rock City. Bear¬ 
ing of Allegheny River west. No oil development. 
Is excellent farming land, both island and Holeman 
farm, and affords an ample held for extensive oil opera¬ 
tions. 

Maple Islands .—Three islands, in Allegheny River, 
below Holeman Island. Original owners, Thos. M‘Cal- 
mont & R. Clapp. Present owners, Dr. Harrison & 
Mockeridge, of Philadelphia. Purchased in 1864. 
Contains four acres in all. Bounded by river. Two 
miles from President, and four from Tionesta. Bear¬ 
ing of Allegheny River west. 

These islands are fast disappearing by the floods of 
the Allegheny River. One well on the middle island 
has formerly produced some oil, but the flood in the 
Spring of 1865 washed away every thing but the en¬ 
gine, which now lies in a wrecked condition. 

Keeler Farm .—On Allegheny River, south side, in 

President township. Original owner, --- Keeler. 

Present owner, R. Clapp. Contains ninety acres. 

17 * 



394 - 


PETROLIA. 


Purchased in 1864. Bounded on the north by river, 
east by Holeman, south by President Petroleum Com¬ 
pany, west by Van Giesen. Three miles from Tiones- 
ta, and three from President. Bearing of Allegheny 
River west. Road to Tionesta east, to President 
west. No developments. 

Holeman Farm .—On Allegheny River, south side, 
in President township. Original owner, Alexander 
Holeman, jr. Present owner, Phoenix Oil Company, 
of Philadelphia. Contains 154 acres. Purchased in 
spring of 1864. Bounded on the north by river, east 
by Clapp, south by Clapp & President Petroleum Com¬ 
pany, west by Keeler. Three miles from Tionesta, 
three miles from President. Bearing or course of Alle¬ 
gheny river west. Road to Tionesta east, to President 
west. No producing wells. Have two non-producing 
wells, one an old well, drilled some time previous to the 
purchase of property by the company. Depth of wells, 
750 and 450 feet. The well in progress is on the flat, 
and owned by company. Have one portable engine. 
Depth of sandrocks, &c., not ascertained: 

Clapp Farm .—On Allegheny River, south side, 
President township. Owned by J. M. Clapp. Bounded 
on the north by river, east by Tionesta township line, 
south by Hanna & Gilfillan, west by lands of Phoenix 
Oil Company. Is two and a half miles from Tionesta, 
and three and a half from President. Bearing of Alle¬ 
gheny River southwest and west. Road to Tionesta 
east and northeast, to President west. No develop¬ 
ment. Two old wells, drilled at the time of the first 
oil excitement on farm, both non-producing. 

Pierson <£ Elder Farm —On Allegheny River, 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 395 

north side, in Tionesta township, containing 316 acres 
and allowance. Original owners, Williams & Eli Pier¬ 
son and M. Elder. Present owner, C. Curtiss. Pur¬ 
chased in spring of 1864. Bounded on the north by 
township line, east by Hunter, south by river, west by 
Holeman. Two and a half miles from Tionesta, and 
five and a half from Eagle Rock City. Bearing of 
Allegheny River w T est. Holeman Run west and south¬ 
west. Road to Tionesta east, to Eagle Rock City 
west. Have one non-producing well, 930 feet deep. 
Cost, $5,000. Located on flat, and owned by C. Cur¬ 
tiss. Have one portable engine. First sandrock, 20 
feet thick, was found at the depth of 183 feet. No 
regular sandrocks afterward. 

Hunter Farm .—On Allegheny River, north side, 
Tionesta township. Original owner, D. Hunter. Pres¬ 
ent owners, Illinois Petroleum and Mining Company, 
of Chicago. Contains 100 acres. Purchased in sum¬ 
mer of 1864. Bounded on the north by Allegheny 
township line, east by Hunter heirs, south by river, 
west by Elder. Two miles from Tionesta, six from 
Eagle Rock. Bearing of Allegheny River west, Hole- 
man Run southwest. Road to Tionesta east, to Presi¬ 
dent west. Have four non-producing wells. Three 
of them are 1,000 feet, and the other 600 feet deep. 
Cost, $5,000. Located, one on flat next river, and one 
on Pierson Run back of hill, and owned by company. 
Have three portable engines. Depth of first sandrock, 
125 feet—4 feet thick; second sand, 260 feet—30 feet 
thick ; third sand, 310 feet—30 feet thick. No regular 
sands. Depth of driving-pipe, 50 feet. 

Hunter Farm .—On Allegheny River, north side, 
and on Dustin Run, in Tionesta township. Owners, Hun- 


396 


PETROLIA. 


ter heirs. Bounded on the north by township line, 
east by Dustin, south by river, west by Hunter. Two 
miles from Tionesta, six from Eagle Rock City. Bear¬ 
ing of Allegheny River west. Road to Tionesta east, 
to President west. Ho development. 

Dustin Farm .—On Allegheny River, north side, 
and on Dustin Run, in Tionesta township. Original 
owner, A. Dustin. Present owners, Dustin Farm and 
Cherry Run Oil Company, of Philadelphia. Bounded 
on the north by township line, east by Watson, south 
by river, west by Hunter. One and three quarter miles 
from Tionesta, six and a quarter from Eagle Rock City. 
Bearing of Allegheny Run west, Dustin Run south¬ 
west. Road to Tionesta east, to President west. 
Have one non-producing well, 450 feet in depth. Cost, 
$7,000. Located on flat, and owned by company. 
Have one engine. Sandrocks, &c., not ascertained. 

'Watson Farm .—On Allegheny River, north side, 
in Tionesta township. Original owner, Wm. H. Wat¬ 
son. Present owner, Security Petroleum Company, of 
Hew York. Contains fifty acres. Purchased in 1864. 
Bounded on the north by township line, east by Hole- 
man, south by river, west by Dustin. One and a half 
miles from Tionesta, six and a half from Eagle Rock 
City. Bearing of Allegheny River west. Road to 
Tionesta east, to President west. Have three non-pro¬ 
ducing wells. Depth of wells, from 630 to 830 feet. 
Cost, $7,000. Located on flat, and owned by company. 
Have three portable engines. Depth of first sand, 35 
feet—40 feet thick. Ho regular sandrocks. Depth 
of driving-pipe, from 35 to 40 feet. 

Holeman Farm .—On Allegheny River, northwest 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 397 

side, in Tionesta township. Original owner, Chas. 
Holeman. Present owners, Security Petroleum Com¬ 
pany. Contains 125 acres. Purchased in 1864. 
Bounded on the north by M‘Cray, east by M‘Clatchey, 
south by river, west by Watson. One and a half miles 
from Tionesta, six and a half from Eagle Pock City. 
Bearing of Allegheny southwest. Roads to Tionesta 
north, to President southwest. Have two non-produc¬ 
ing wells, and two old wells on the river. Depth of 
new or old wells not ascertained. New wells located 
on table lands, and owned by company. 

M i Clatchey Farm —On Allegheny River, northwest 
side, in Tionesta townshijo, containing 116 acres. Ori¬ 
ginal owner, Wm. M‘Clatchey. Present owners, Se¬ 
curity Petroleum Company. Purchased in 1864. 

Bounded on the north by-, east by M‘Cray, south 

by river, west by Holeman. One and a quarter miles 
from Tionesta, six and three quarter miles from Eagle 
Rock City. Bearing of Allegheny River southwest. 
Road to Tionesta northeast, to President southwest. 
Have one non-producing well, 75 0 feet in depth. Cost, 
$5,000. Located on the flat of Dustin Run, and owned 
by company. Have one engine. No regular sand- 
rocks. 

McCray Farm .—On Allegheny River, northwest 
side, in Tionesta township. Original owner, S. M £ Cray. 
Present owners, Hamlin & Moore. Bounded on the 

north by-, east by Hamlin, south by river, west by 

M £ Clatchey. One mile from Tionesta, seven from 
Eagle Rock City. Bearing of Allegheny River south¬ 
west, Tionesta northeast, President southwest. Have 
one old well, shallow depth, and non-producing. 

Towner Farm .—On Allegheny River, south side, 




398 


PETEOLIA. 


and on Little Tionesta Creek. Original owner, A. 

Towner. Present owner,- Lanier, of New York. 

Contains 125 acres. Purchased in 1864. Bounded on 
the north by river, east by Hilands, south by Hilands, 
west by Clapp. Two miles from Tionesta, and four 
from President. Bearing of Allegheny River south¬ 
west, Little Tionesta Creek northwest. Road to Tio¬ 
nesta northeast, President southwest. Have one old 
well w r ith the tools fast in, 500 feet in depth. Had a 
fine show of oil previous to tools becoming fastened. 
Here is a good flat for operating on, with an excellent 
saw-mill on the same, built by Messrs. Towner & Brett; 
not now in operation. Is like much of the property 
of stock companies—allowed to remain idle wdien it 
could be used to advantage in raising a revenue from 
which to declare dividends, &c. 

Hilands Farms .—On Allegheny River, southeast 
side. Original owner, W. C. Hilands. Present owner, 
J. A. Dale. Contains 200 acres. Purchased in 1865. 
Bounded north by river and Johnson ; other boundaries 
not ascertained. One and a half miles from Tionesta, 
four and a half from President. Bearing of Allegheny 
River southwest, Little Tionesta Creek northwest. 
Road to Tionesta northeast, President southwest. No 
developments. Hills high and abrupt. A horse and 
foot-path along the river. 

Dustin Farm .—On Allegheny River, w r est side, in 
Tionesta township. Original owner, Ananias Dustin. 
Present owner, Perry Oil Company, of Pittsburgh. 
Contains twenty-five acres on mainland, and twenty 
acres in island, opposite. Bounded on the north by 
Hilands, east by Dale and M‘Bride, south by Hilands, 
west by river. Bearing of Allegheny River southwest. 



LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 399 

One mile from Tionesta, five from President. Road to 
Tionesta northeast, President southwest. Have two 
non-producing wells—one on the main land and one on 
island. Depth of first, 200 feet; of well on island, 600 
feet. Owned by company. No machinery on the 
ground at present. Was washed away and destroyed 
by flood in Spring of 1865. The well on shore was 
drilled by J. Hawkins, of the Burning well, Blood farm, 
on Oil Creek. 

Hidings Farm —On Allegheny River, west side, in 
Tionesta township, containing 100 acres. Original 
owner, W. Hidings. Present owners, Philadelphia, 
Lancaster and Cherry Run Oil Company. Purchased 
in March, 1865. Bounded on the north by Shreeves, 
east by Noble, south by Dale & Johnson, west by 
river. Half a mile from Tionesta, five and a half from 
President. Bearing of Allegheny River southwest. 
Road to Tionesta northeast, to President southwest. 
Have one non-producing well, 600 feet in depth. Has 
produced some oil in former years. Cost of well, 
$5,000. Located on flat, and owned by company. 
Have one engine. No regular sand. 

Shreeves Farm —On Allegheny River, southeast 
side, and on Tionesta Creek, containing eighty-four 
acres. Original owner, J. Shreeves. Present owners, 
Shreeves Farm Oil Company, of New York. Pur¬ 
chased in November, 1864. Bounded on the north by 
Tionesta Creek, east by Noble, south by Hilands, west 
by river. Seven miles from President, and fourteen 
from Tidionte. Bearing of Allegheny River west of 
south, Tionesta Creek north of west. Road to Presi¬ 
dent west of south, to Tionesta east of north. Have 
three non-producing wells. Depth of wells, 910, 555, 


400 


PETKOLIA. 


and 535 feet. Average cost, $8,000. Located on the 
flat, and owned by the company. Have three engines. 
Depth of first sandrock, 245 feet, white—23 feet thick ; 
second sand, 560 feet, grey—11 feet thick ; third sand, 
890 feet, white—40 feet thick. 

The wells are on the flat, south side of Tionesta 
Creek, at the mouth. Good territory for oil operations 
or for building purposes. 

Watson Farm .—On Allegheny River, northwest 
side, in Tionesta township. Original owner, James 
Watson. Present owners, Hamlin & Moore. Contains 
100 acres. Purchased in 1864. Bounded on the north 
by Hillings, east by Hidings and river, south and west 
by M‘Cray. Ho development. 

Hunter Island. —In Allegheny River, opposite 
mouth of Tionesta Creek. Owned originally by Wm. 
Hunter. Present owners, Cascade Oil Company, of 
Providence, R. I. Contains forty acres. Purchased 
in May, 1865. Have one well in progress, 370 feet 
deep; owned by company. Have one engine. First 
sandrock was met with at the depth of 240 feet—14 
feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 50 feet. The Cas¬ 
cade Oil Company have one well on Siggins farm, 
above the mouth of west Hickory Creek, 880 feet in 
depth. Is non-producing and abandoned. 

31 Calmont Farm. —On Allegheny River, northwest 
side. Original owners, heirs of A. M‘Calmont. Con¬ 
tains 100 acres. Present owners, Bissell & Co. Pur¬ 
chased in 1862. Bounded on the north by Shriver, 
east by river, south by Hamlin. Half a mile from 
Tionesta, seven and a half from Eagle Rock City. 
Bearing of Allegheny River west of south. Road to 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMlS. 401 

Tionesta oast of north, to Eagle Rock City west of 
south. No developments. Hills high and abrupt. 
Warren and Franklin Railroad crosses on river bank. 

Calmont Farm .—On Allegheny River, north¬ 
west side, in Tionesta township. Owned by heirs of 
A. M‘Calmont. Contains 600 acres. Bounded on the 
north by Hunter, east by Hunter and river, south by 

Hidings, west by- Eight miles from Eagle Rock 

City, and seven from west Hickory. Bearing of Alle¬ 
gheny River west of south. Road to Eagle Rock City 
west of south, to west Hickory east of north. No de¬ 
velopment. Hills high and abrupt. Railroad crosses 
on river bank. 

Hunter Farm .—On Allegheny River, west side, 
and on Hunter’s Run. Original owner, Wm. Hunter. 
Present owners, Pennock, Ball & Co., of Pittsburgh. 
Contains 200 acres. Purchased in 1864. Bounded on 
the north by M‘Calmont, east by liver, south by 
Hidings. Eight miles from Eagle Rock City, five 
from West Hickory. Bearing of Allegheny River west 
of south, Hunter’s Run southeast. Road to Eagle Rock 
City west of south, to West Hickory east of north. 
Have two non-producing wells, drilled by horse-power. 
Depth, 545 feet. Located on flat, and owned by com¬ 
pany. Depth of surface sandrock, 10 feet—40 feet 
thick; first regular sand, 280 feet—15 feet thick; sec¬ 
ond sand, 530 feet. Depth of driving-pipe, 50 feet. 
One of the wells was drilled and operated by the water¬ 
power of adjacent mill, formerly pumped twenty-five 
barrels per day. Produced a large quantity of oil. Is 
doing nothing now from not being operated. 

The village of Tionesta is located here, a description 
of which will be found in the chapter on Towns. It 



402 


PETROLIA. 


is on the east side of the Allegheny, and at the mouth 
of Tionesta Creek. 

May Farm —On Allegheny River, east side, Tio¬ 
nesta township, containing 100 acres. Original owner, 
Helen May. Present owner, C. Curtiss. Purchased in 
summer of 1864. Bounded on the north by heirs of 

May, east by -, south by Tionesta borough, west 

by river. Joins Tionesta borough. Course of Alle¬ 
gheny River west of south. Seven miles from Hickory. 
Road to Hickory east of north, to Tionesta east of 
south. No developments. 

May Farm .—On Allegheny River, west side, and 
on Tubbs Run, and known as the Saddle-bags tract. 
Original owners, heirs of May. Contains 425 acres. 
Present owner, C. Curtiss. Bounded on the north by 

Brown & Co., east and south by-, west by river. 

Six and a half miles from Hickory, one half mile from 
Tionesta. Bearing of Allegheny River west of south, 
Tubbs Run west. No developments. 

Hunter Farm .— On Allegheny River, west side, in 
Tionesta township. Original owner, G. S. Hunter. 
Two acres leased to S. N. Hill & Co. Contains fifteen 
acres. Have one non-producing well on the lease of 
two acres, 530 feet deep, and drilling. Will cost from 
$7,000 to $10,000. Located on river side, and owned 
by S. N. Hill & Co. Have one portable engine. 
Depth of first sandrock, 280 feet—15 feet thick; sec¬ 
ond sand, 530 feet. First or bedrock, grey sand, 40 
feet. 

M‘ Calmont Farm —On Allegheny River, west side, 
Tionesta township, containing 200 acres. Original 




LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 403 

owner, A. M‘Calmont. Present owner, Bissell & Co. 
Purchased in 1862. Bounded on the north by Sowers, 

east by river, south by Hunter, west by-. Half 

a mile from Tionesta, and four and a half miles from 
West Hickory. Bearing of the Allegheny River west 
of south. Road to West Hickory east of north, to Tio¬ 
nesta west of south. No developments. 

Soicers Farm —On Allegheny River, west side, 
containing 100 acres. Original owner, C. Sowers. 
Present owners, E. Fawcett & Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Purchased in 1865. Bounded on the north by Jamison, 

east by river, south by Bissell & Co., west by -. 

Half a mile from Tionesta, four and a half from West 
Hickory. Bearing of Allegheny River west of south. 
Road to West Hickory east of north, to Tionesta west 
of south. Have ten non-producing wells. The old 
Sowers well formerly yielded twenty-five barrels per 
day, at the depth of 150 feet; oil 35° gravity. Aver¬ 
age depth of wells, from 150 to 500 feet. Wells lo¬ 
cated on flat and ravine, and owned by company. 
Have two portable engines. The company own the 
island in the river opposite. Has one well on it, but 
was nearly destroyed by the flood of 1865. Depth of 
sandrocks, &c., not ascertained. 

Ensign Jamison Farm .—On Allegheny River, 
west side, and on Jamison Run. Contains 162 acres. 
Original owners, C. Ensign & R. Jamison. Present 
owners, Denver* Petroleum Company, of New York. 
Purchased in 1864. Bounded on the north by Jamison, 

east by river, south by Sowers, west by-One 

mile from Tionesta, four from West Hickory. Bearing 
of Allegheny River west of south. Road to West 
Hickory east of north, to Tionesta west of south. Have 





404 


PETKOLIA. 


one producing well, called the Butternut Shade well. 
Amount of production not ascertained. Have shipped 
but a few barrels. Have thirteen old wells, only one 
tested. Depth of wells, from 250 to 730 feet. Cost, 
$5,000. Wells located on flat, and owned by company. 
Have two portable engines. Depth of first sandrock, 
101 feet—35 feet thick; second sand, 149 feet—14 
feet thick; third sand, 206 feet—14 feet thick. The 
best show of oil has been found on this farm at the 
depth of 268 feet. Oil has been found in all the wells. 
But one well tested. Oil not found in paying quanti¬ 
ties. 

Jamison Farm —On Allegheny River, west side, 
and on Jamison Run, containing sixty-nine acres. Ori¬ 
ginal owners, R. & G. Jamison. Present owners, 
Jamison Oil Company, of Philadelphia. Purchased in 
1864. Bounded on the north by Dawson, east by river, 

south by Jamison, west by-. Four miles from 

West Hickory, one mile from Tionesta. Road to West 
Hickory northeast, to Tionesta southwest. Bearing 
of Allegheny River southwest, Dawson Run east. 
Have one producing well, called the Butternut Shade 
well, and one non-producing well, tools fast in it. The 
producing well has pumped very little. Depth of wells, 
one 408, the other 345 feet. Average cost, $5,000. 
Wells located on flat, and owned by company. Have 
one portable engine. Depth of first sandrock, 101 feet 
—35 feet thick ; second sand, 149 feet—14 feet thick; 
third sand, 206 feet—14 feet thick. Depth of driving- 
pipe, 13 feet. There were formerly two old refineries 
on this farm, both small, now abandoned. There is a 
broad river flat on this property, furnishing an excel¬ 
lent location for oil operations. 

Jamison Farm .—On Allegheny River, west side. 



LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 405 

The Gilbert Jamison farm contains eighty acres, and 
the John Jamison farm 250 acres. Original owners, 
G. & J. Jamison. Present owners, St. Clair & Co., 
Pittsburgh. Bounded on the north by Jamison, east 
by river, south by Jamison. There is one old well on 
the Gilbert Jamison farm; and five wells, none of them 
tested, on the John Jamison farm. Four and a quarter 
miles from West Hickory, and one and a quarter from 
Tionesta. Bearing of Allegheny River southwest. 
Road to West Hickory northeast, Tionesta southwest. 
Average depth of wells, 557 feet. Cost not ascertained. 
Wells located on fiat and owned by company. The 
flat on these farms is not so broad as on those below. 

Johnson Farm —On Allegheny River, east side, 
Tionesta township, containing sixty acres. Owned by 
Henry Johnson. Bounded on the north by Hale, east 

by-, south by May, west by river. One mile from 

Tionesta, six miles from Hickory. Bearing of Alle¬ 
gheny River southwest. Road to Hickory northeast, 
to Tionesta southwest. ~No developments. 

Dale Farm —On Allegheny River, east side, con¬ 
taining 250 acres. Original owners, J. Dale’s heirs. 
Present owner not ascertained. Purchased in fall of 
1864. Bounded on the north by township line, east by 
Woolcot south by Brown & Co., west by river. One 
and a half miles from Tionesta, and five and a half from 
Hickory. Bearing of Allegheny River southwest. 
Road to Hickory northeast, to Tionesta southwest. 
Have two old wells, 200 feet deep, on farm, not tested. 

Dawson Farm .—On Allegheny River, west side, 
and on Dawson Run, in Harmony township. Owned 
by heirs of J. G. Dawson. Contains 300 acres. 



406 


PETEOLIA. 


Bounded on the north by Baldwin, Wilder & Co., east 
by river, south by township line and Jamison. Two 
miles from Tionesta, and three miles from West Hick¬ 
ory. Bearing of Allegheny River southwest, Daw r son 
Run southeast. Road to West Hickory northeast, Tio¬ 
nesta southwest. One well has been drilled 160 feet; 
tools fast. 

/Stave Factory Tract —On Allegheny River, w r est 
side, and on Dawson Run, in Harmony township, con¬ 
taining 200 acres. Original owners, Dawson & Gordon. 
Present owners, Dawson Run Oil Company. Pur¬ 
chased of Gordon and leased of Dawson, in 1863. 
Bounded on the north by Gordon, east by river, south 
by Dawson, w r est by Stillwagon. Two miles from 
West Hickory, three from Tionesta. Bearing of Alle¬ 
gheny River soutliw r est and west, Dawson Run south¬ 
east. Road to West Hickory northeast and east, to 
Tionesta southwest. Have five non-producing wells, 
from 500 to 650 feet in depth. Average cost, $6,000. 
Three of the wells are located on the river flat and two 
on Dawson Run, and are owned by company. Have 
four stationary engines. Depth of first sandrock, on 
Dawson’s Run, 220 feet—16 feet thick; second sand, 
489 feet—30 feet thick ; third sand not found. On river, 
first sandrock, 121 feet—12 feet thick; second sand, 
164 feet—9 feet thick; third sand, 780 feet. Depth of 
driving-pipe, 6 feet on Dawson Run, and 12 feet on river 
flat. 


Gordon Farm —On Allegheny River, north side, 
in Harmony township, containing 437 acres. Original 
owner, J. Gordon. Present owner, C. Curtiss. Pur¬ 
chased in Fall of 1864. Bounded on the north by Hun¬ 
ter, east by Green, south by river, west by Baldwin, 


% 

LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 407 

Wilder & Co. Half a mile from West Hickory, and 
four and a half from Tionesta. Bearing of Allegheny 
River west. Road to West Hickory east, Tionesta 
west. Have one well, producing one and a half barrels 
per day, pumping. Have three non-producing wells. 
Amount produced, 175 barrels. Depth of wells, 315, 
400, and 812 feet. Commenced producing in Sej>tem- 
ber, 1865. Wells located on flat. Owned by Alden 
& Co., and Wright & Co. Have four portable en¬ 
gines. Depth of first sandrock, 180 feet—30 feet thick ; 
second sand, 387 feet—48 feet thick; third sand, 780 
feet—30 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 44 feet. 
This farm has a large tract of flat-land on the river, 
good territory to operate on. The wells already drilled 
have a good show of oil. Have not been thoroughly 
tested. Oil heavy lubricating, 35° gravity. 

Green Farm. —On Allegheny River, northwest side, 
in Hickory township. Original owner, J. Green. 
Present owners, Hickory Farm Oil Company, and 
West Hickory Oil and Mining Company, of New York. 
Purchased in 1864. Three hundred acres owned by 
Hickory Farm, and 500 acres by West Hickory Oil and 
Mining Company. Five miles from Tionesta, and two 
from Hickory village. Bounded on the north by Phil¬ 
adelphia Oil Company, east by Siggins, south by river, 
west by Gordon. Bearing of Allegheny River west, 
West Hickory Creek east. Two producing wells 
on property of Hickory Farm Oil Company, and two 
on property of West Hickory Oil and Mining Com¬ 
pany’s property. Four non-producing wells, and twen¬ 
ty-five wells in progress on tract of former, and twenty- 
five wells in progress on tract of latter company. Wells 
of Hickory Farm Company producing ten and fifteen 
barrels per day each. One well of the West Hickory 


408 


PETROLIA. 


Company, thirty barrels per day. Depth of wells on 
Hickory Farm tract, 111 and 240 feet; on West Hick¬ 
ory Company’s tract, 420 feet. Oil struck at 320 feet. 
Wells commenced producing on Hickory Company’s 
tract, April 8, 1865, and January 23, 1866 ; on West 
Hickory Company’s tract, November 23, 1865. Wells 
of Hickory Farm Company located on flat, and owned 
by company. West Hickory Oil and Mining Com¬ 
pany’s, on Creek, one mile from river, belonging to 
New York and Philadelphia Petroleum Company. 
Have seven engines on the property. Depth of first 
sandrock, 13 to 31 feet—15 feet thick; second sand, 
15 to 83 feet; third sand, 128 to 154 feet; fourth sand, 
409 to 425 feet. Depth of driving-pipe, 12 to 20 feet. 
No regularity in the thickness of sandrocks ; appear 
like broken, mixed-up rock. There is a new town 
springing up at this point, called West Hickory. A 
number of new buildings are erected, and more are in 
progress. 

Sibbald Farm .—On Allegheny River, east side, in 
Hickory township. Original owner, Dr. J. Sibbald. 
Contains 100 acres. Present owners, Sinclair & Co., 
of Cleveland, O. Purchased in fall of 1864. Bounded 
north and east by river, and Ball south and west. Two 
miles from Tionesta, and five from Hickory village. 
Bearing of Allegheny River southwest. Road to Tio¬ 
nesta southwest, Hickory northeast. No develop¬ 
ments. 

Woolcott Farm —On Allegheny River, east side, 
in Hickory township, containing 100 acres. Original 
owner, Wm. Woolcott. Present owner, G. S. Loney. 
Purchased in 1865. Bounded on the north and east by 
river and Bennett, south and west by Woolcott and 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARM&. 409 

river. Two and a half miles from Tionesta, and four 
and a half from Hickory. Bearing of Allegheny River 
southwest. Road to Tionesta southwest, to Hickory 
northeast. No developments. 

Ball Farm —On Allegheny River, east side, in 
Hickory township, containing fifty acres. Original 
owner, Nelson Ball. Present owner not ascertained. 
Changed hands in 1864. Bounded on the north by 

river, east by Dewoody, south by -, west by Ball. 

Three miles from Tionesta, and four miles from Hick¬ 
ory. Bearing of Allegheny River southwest and west. 
Road to Tionesta southwest, Hickory northeast and 
east. No developments. 

Bennett Farm .—On Allegheny River, south side, 
in Hickory township. Original owner, Luther Bennett. 
Contains fifty acres. Bounded on the north by river, 

east by Allen & Co., south by-, west by Bennett. 

Three and a half miles from Tionesta, and same dis¬ 
tance from Hickory. Bearing of Allegheny River 
west. Road to Tionesta west, to Hickory east. Have 
one old well. Had a good show at depth of 250 feet. 
Abandoned by lessee in first oil excitement. 

Biddles Farm .—On Allegheny River, south side, 
in Hickory township, mouth of Little Hickory. Ori¬ 
ginal owner, M. K. Riddles. Present owners, Forrest 
Landing, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia Oil Company. 
Bounded on the north by river, east by Walter, south 

by-, west by Dewoody. Four and a half miles 

from Tionesta, and two and a half from Hickory. 
Bearing of Allegheny River west, Little Hickory 
Creek north of west. Road to Tionesta west, to Hick¬ 
ory east and northeast. Have four non-producing 
18 





410 


PETROLIA. 


wells. All have produced a little oil. Two of them 
are old wells on the river, below the mouth of Creek. 
Depth of wells, from 175 to 500 feet. Average cost, 
$4,000. Located on the flat and river side. Have two 
portable and stationary engines. Depth of first sand- 
rock, 74 feet—36 feet thick; second sand, 171 feet— 
30 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 18 feet. This 
property is well located, being at the mouth of Little 
Hickory Creek, extending up the same. Oil is found 
in all the wells, but not in paying quantities. 

Walter Farm .—On Allegheny Hiver, southeast 
side, in Hickory township. Original owner, M. Walter. 
Present owners, Euston, Allen & Co. Bounded on the 

north by river, east by Richardson, south by -, 

west by Riddles and river. Three and a half miles 
from Tionesta, and same distance from Hickory. Bear¬ 
ing of Allegheny River southwest, Little Hickory west. 
Road to Tionesta southwest, to Hickory northeast. Ho 
developments. 

Richardson Farm .—On Allegheny River, southeast 
side, in Hickory township. Original owner, C. Rich¬ 
ardson. Bounded on the north by Hunter and west by 
river. Five miles from Tionesta, two from Hickory. 
Bearing of Allegheny River southwest, road to Tio¬ 
nesta southwest, to Hickory northeast. One well on 
the property, 300 feet deep, tubed and tested. Oil not 
obtained in paying quantity. The flat on east side of 
river and south side of East Hickory Creek here com¬ 
mences and increases in width as it approaches the 
Creek. Have one engine on the property. 

Hunter Farm .—On Allegheny River, southeast 
side, in Hickory township. Owner, S. Hunter. Bounded 



LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 411 

on the north by Prather and west by river. Six miles 
from Tionesta, and one mile from Hickory. Bearing 
of Allegheny River south. Road to Tionesta south, 
Hickory northeast. One well, 300 feet deep, and one 
engine. Well located on the flat below the town. 
Has produced some oil, but is not now in operation. 
Here is a broad flat, with a good territory to operate 
upon as the West Hickory flats. The sandrocks below 
the first are very irregular and broken up, and when 
found at all, are at about the following depth: First 
sandrock, 96 to 100 feet; second sand, 130 to 150 feet. 
The first is a hard grey sand, from 50 to 75 feet thick. 

Prather Farm. —On Allegheny River, southeast 
side, and on East Hickory Creek. Original owner, T. 
H. Prather. Present owners : a Philadelphia company 
have the upper end of the farm, and G. S. Long the 
part on the river. Boundaries not entirely ascertained. 
Seven miles from Tionesta and seven from Tideoute. 
Bearing of Allegheny River south, East Hickory 
Creek north. Road to Tionesta south, to Tideoute 
north. Have three old wells, two engines. Two wells 
on flat of Creek, and one at the mouth. One of the 
wells is 700 feet in depth. All non-producing. 

Hickory Village .—Located on the Ball farm at the 
mouth of East Hickory Creek, north side, and on east 
side of Allegheny river. There is one hotel, several 
stores, &c. This an important shipping point for lum¬ 
ber which is obtained in large quantities from the lands 
up the Creek, and transported to this point by wagons 
on a plank road owned by the lumbermen on the 
Creek. Here is also an extensive boat dock, with all 
the necessary apparatus, where a large number of the 
boats are built that are used on the Allegheny river 
and Oil Creek for the transportation of oil, <fcc. 


412 


PETROLIA. 


There is one old well on the Ball farm, with 
ample room on the flats for extensive oil opera¬ 
tions. 

Ball Farm .—On Allegheny river, southeast side, 
in Hickory township. Owned by J. Ball. Bounded on 

the north by Green, east by-, south by Prather, 

west by river. Half a mile from Hickory, and six and 
a half from Tidionte. Bearing of Allegheny river 
southwest, East Hickory west. Road to Hickory 
southwest, to Tidionte northeast. The village of East 
Hickory is on this farm. 

Between this point and Tideoute there are thirty- 
two wells, on both sides of the river and in the ravines. 
The majority are old abandoned wells—some few are 
new and operating. As yet, all are non-producing. We 
found it impossible to obtain any definite information 
in relation to them, there being no one on the ground 
to give it. Most of these wells appear to be of shallow 
depth, and imperfectly tested. 

Green Farm .—On Allegheny river, southeast 
side, in Hickory township. Owner, J. Green. Bound¬ 
ed on the north by river and Stowe, east by-, 

south by Ball, west by river. One mile and a half from 
Hickory, and five and a half from Tideoute. Bearing of 
Allegheny river southwest. Road to Hickory south¬ 
west. Have two non-producing wells, 500 feet deep, 
and two engines. 

Siggins Farm. — On. Allegheny river, northwest 
side, in Harmony township. Original owners, W. & 
G. S. Siggins. Present owners not ascertained. 
Bounded on the north by Siggins, east by Siggins and 
river, south by Green, west by Manross. Half a mile 




LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 413 

from West Hickory, one and a half miles from Hickory. 
Bearing of Allegheny river southwest. Road to West 
Hickory southwest, to Tideoute northeast. Have nine 
non-producing wells, one of which is 250 feet in depth, 
and has the tools fast in it. On these farms is a broad 
flat or table land, good for agricultural purposes. Has 
on it good dwellings and barns, and is under very good 
cultivation. There has been but little development for 
oil. 

Siggins Farm. —On Allegheny river, west side, in 
Harmony township, containing 100 acres. Original 
owner, J. C. Siggins. Present owners, Hew York & 
Philadelphia Petroleum Co. Purchased in 1864. 
Bounded on the north by Pleming, east by river, south 
by Siggins, west by Manross. One mile from West 
Hickory and one mile from Hickory. Bearing of Alle¬ 
gheny south, of West Hickory Creek southeast. Road 
to West Hickory south, to Hickory north. Have three 
old abandoned wells, 300 feet deep. Flat or table land 
like the farms below, but not so broad, merging into 
hill lands at upper end. Depth of first sandrock, 100 
feet—25 feet thick; second sand, 200 feet—40 feet 
thick; third sand not found. Depth of driving-pipe 
14 feet. 

The Company have thirty acres on Hicks Run, 
a tributary of West Hickory. Ho developments. 

Fleming Farm .—On Allegheny river, west side, 
in Harmony township. Original owners, R. & J. and 
Mrs. Fleming. Present owners not ascertained. 
Bounded on the north by Hawthorn, east by river, 

south by Siggins, west by-• Two miles from 

West Hickory and seven from Tideoute. Bearing of 
Allegheny river south. Road to West Hickory south, 



414 


PETROLIA. 


to Ticleoute north. The flat here is lost in the hills, 
which rise high and abrupt and are covered with tim¬ 
ber. No developments. 

Hawthorn Farm —On Allegheny river, west side, 
in Harmony township. S. Hawthorn, owner. Bounded 
on the north by Jones, east by river, south by Fleming, 

west by-. One mile from Hickory and six from 

Tideoute. Bearing of Allegheny river west of south. 
Road to Hickory west of south, Tideoute east of north. 
Have one old well, which produced some oil; but is 
now abandoned. Hills abrupt and high. 

Jones Farm .—On Allegheny river, -west side, in 
Harmony township. Original owner, J. Jones. Pres¬ 
ent owner, E. Ferrero. Bounded on the north by 
Scott, east by river, south by Hawthorn, west by 

--. One and a half miles from Hickorv, five and a 

half from Tideoute. Bearing of Allegheny river west of 
south. Road to Hickory west of south. Tideoute east 
of north. No developments. 

Scott Farm .—On Allegheny river, west side, in 
Harmony township. D. Scott, owner. Bounded on 
the north by Jones, east by river, south by Jones, "west 

by-. Two miles from Hickory, five miles from 

Tideoute. Bearing of Allegheny river south. Road to 
Hickory south, to Tideoute north. Have 4 non¬ 
producing wells, two drilling and two abandoned. 
Depth of wells, two 500 feet, one 200, one 400 feet. 
Hills not abrupt as below. Broken by ravines. 

Jones Farm .—On Allegheny river, west side, 
Harmony township. Original owners, E. Jones and 
E. L. Jones. Present owners, E. Ferrero and others. 





LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 415 

Number of acres not ascertained. Bounded on the 
north by Jones, east by river, south by Scott, west by 

-. Two and a half miles from Hickory, four and 

a half from Tideoute. Bearing of Allegheny river south. 
Hoad to Hickory south, to Tideoute north. Have 

some old wells, apparently abandoned, on the farm. 

* 

Jones Farm. —On Allegheny river, west side, in 
Harmony township. Owned by heirs of J. Jones. 
Bounded on the north by Smith, east by river, south by 

Jones, west by-. Three miles from Hickory, 

four from Tideoute. Bearing of Allegheny river south. 
Road to Hickory south, Tideoute north. No paying 
developments. 

Smith Farm. —On Allegheny river, south side, in 
Harmony township. Original owner, S. Smith. Pres¬ 
ent owner, G. S. Long. Bounded on the north by 
Warren County line, east by river, south by Jones, 

west by-. Three and a half miles from Tideoute 

and some distance from Hickory. Bearing of Alle¬ 
gheny river south. Road to Hickory south, to 
Tideoute north. On this farm are some wells and one 
engine. None of the wells in operation. 

Prather Farm .—On Allegheny river, east side, in 
Hickory township. Owned by T. IL Prather’s heirs, or 
Woodford. Bounded on the north by Winson, east by 
Stowe, south by Green, west by river. Two miles 
from Hickory, five from Tideoute. Bearing of Alle¬ 
gheny river west of south. Road to Hickory west of 
south, to Tideoute east of north. Have one old well 
drilling, 250 feet deep, and one engine on the 
property. 

Frown Farm .—On Allegheny river, east side, in 
Hickory township. Original owner, Geo. Brown. 





416 


PETROLIA. 


Present owners, Hopew T ell & Jennings. Purchased in 
18G5. Bounded on the north by Long, east by Stowe, 
south by Prather, west by river. Two and a half miles 
from Hickory, and four and a half from Tideoute. Bear¬ 
ing of Allegheny river west of south. Road to Hickory 
west of south, to Tideoute east of north. Ho develop¬ 
ments. 

Alcorn Farm .—On Allegheny river, east side, in 
Hickory township. Original owner, James Alcorn. 
Present owners, Hopewell & Jennings. Purchased in 
January, 1865. Bounded on the north by Hunter, east 
by Stowe, south by Winson, west by river. Three 
miles from Hickory, four from Tideoute. Bearing of 
Allegheny river west by south. Hoad to Hickory west 
of south, to Tideoute east of north. Ho develop¬ 
ments. 

Huriter Farm .—On Allegheny river, east side, in 
Hickory Township. Original owner, W. Hunter. 
Present owners, Hopewell & Jennings. Purchased in 
January 1865. Bounded on the north by Warren 
County line, east and south by Alcorn, west by river. 
Three and a half miles from Hickory, and same distance 
from Tideoute. Bearing of Allegheny river south. 
Road to Hickory south, to Tideoute north. Have one 
non-producing well, 280 feet deep. Belongs to Messrs. 
Anderson, together with the acre of land the well is 
on. Depth of first sandrock, 96 feet,—second sand, 
130 feet. Depth of driving-pipe 14 feet. 

WARREN COUNTY.-DEERFIELD TP. 

JBozer Farm .—On Allegheny river, west side, in 
Deerfield township. Owned by H. & W. Bozer. 
Bounded on the north by Kortman, east by river, south 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 417 


by Venango County, west by-. Four miles from 

Hickory, three miles from Tideoute. Bearing of Alle¬ 
gheny river east of south. Road to Hickory east of 
south, to Tideoute west of north. No developments. 

Kortman Farm .—On Allegheny river, west side, 
in Deerfield township, containing several hundred acres. 
Original owners, J. & I. Kortman. Present owners, 
Grove Farm Oil Company, of Pittsburgh. Purchased 
in January, 1865. Bounded on the north by Kortman, 

east by river, south by Bozer, west by-. Four 

and a half miles from Hickory, two and a half from 
Tideoute. Bearing of Allegheny river east of south. 
Road to Hickory east of south, to Tideoute west of 
north. No developments. 

Kortman Farm .—On Allegheny river, west side, in 
Deerfield township. Original owners, P. Kortman, H. 
Kortman, & J. Kortman. Present owners, Grove Farm 
Oil Co., of Pittsburgh. Contains several hundred acres. 
Purchased in 1865. Bounded on the north by Spang¬ 
ler, east by river, south by Kortman, west by -. 

Five miles from Hickory and Two miles from Tideoute. 
Bearing of Allegheny river east of south. Road to 
Hickory east of south, to Tideoute west of north. 
Company have several wells—none producing. Are 
drilling some on West Hickory. 

Dunn Farm .—On Allegheny river, east side, Lime¬ 
stone township. Original owner, J. Dunn. Present 
owners, Hopewell & Jennings. Purchased in January, 

1865. Bounded on the north by Magee, east by-, 

south by county line, west by river. Four miles from 
Hickory, three from Tideoute. Bearing of Allegheny 
river east of south, Dennis Run west. Road to Hicko- 
18 * 






418 


PETROLIA. 


ry east of south, to Tideoute west of north. Have 
three old wells,—are drilling one, and have reached a 
depth of 300 feet. One engine on the property. 

Magee Farm. —On Allegheny river, east side, in 
Limestone township. Original owner, Mrs. Magee. 
Present owners, Hopewell & Jennings. Purchased in 
Jan., 1865. Boundaries not accurately ascertained. 
Four and a half miles from Hickory, and two and a 
half from Tideoute. Bearing of Allegheny river east 
of south. Road to Hickory east of south, to Tideoute 
west of north. No developments. 

j Dale Farm .—On Allegheny river, east side, in Lime¬ 
stone township. Owned by William Dale. Bounded 

on the north by Hautter, east by-, south by Magee, 

west by river. Five miles from Hickory, two from 
Tideoute. Bearing of Allegheny river east of south. 
Road to Hickory east of south, to Tideoute west of 
north. No developments. Bald Eagle Island is in the 
river, opposite this farm. One well on the island, which 
had a good show of oil when first struck. Is 600 feet 
deep. Not operating at present. 

Hunter Farm .—On Allegheny river, east side, in 
Limestone township. Owned by M. Hunter. Bounded 

on the north by Richardson, east and south by-, 

west by river. Five and a half miles from Hickory, 
and one and a half from Tideoute. Bearin<r of Alle- 
gheny river east of south. Road to Hickory east of 
south, to Tidionte west of north. Adjoining this tract 
is seven acres off the Richardson farm, belononno: to R. 
R. Roberts. No developments. 

Richardson Farm .—On Allegheny river, east side, 
in Limestone township. Containing 120 acres. Origi¬ 
nal owners, Mrs. Richardson and L. D. Richardson. 




LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 419 

Present owners, R. A. Wilder and others. Purchased 
in 1864. Bounded on the north and west by river, east 

by Ralston, and south by-. Six and a half miles 

from Hickory, and half a mile from Tideoute. Bearing 
of Allegheny river east of south and west. Road to 
Hickory east of south, to Tideoute west of north and 
east. Have six wells—five old and one new one. Av¬ 
erage depth of wells 60 to 500 feet. Located on flat 
and ravine. Owned by R. A. Wilder and others. Have 
one stationary engine. No account of sandrocks could 
be obtained. Depth of driving-pipe, 6 to 12 feet. 

Tipton Farm —On Allegheny river, east and south 
side, containing 100 acres. Original owner, Shadwick 
Tipton. Present owners, Tipton Farm Oil Company, of 
Philadelphia. Purchased in 1864. The Enterprise Min¬ 
ing and Boring Company, of New York City, are sink¬ 
ing a shaft upon this farm. They have a lease 
of 15 rods square of ground. They began one shaft, 
sank it to some depth, and, after expending some 
$10,000, abandoned it and commenced a new one 
a few rods distant from the first. Are now down 
90 feet. The shaft is 7 by 9 feet in size, cribbed 
with six-inch plank to the bottom of the first sandrock, 
and caulked to keep the water out. Depth to the first 
or bed rock, 30 feet; next, 10 feet—shale rock; next, 
10 feet of hard gray sandrock; next, 40 feet of slate 
and soap-rock. Some indications of oil found in the 
shale above the sandrock, and in the slate and soap¬ 
stone below, but none in the sandrock. The sandrock 
is very hard and broken, with small crevices all through. 
The larger portion of the water came in through the 
crevices in the sandrock. As the water rises in the 
river, it rises in or about the shaft, requiring the crib¬ 
bing to be kept tightly caulked above it. Some gas 



420 


PETROLIA. 


was found in the soft rock below the sand, sufficient to 
light it in jets. The location of the shaft is about 30 
rods from the river, and about 30 feet above the level 
of the same. The company have a 20 horse-power en¬ 
gine to work their machinery, and a ten-inch pump to 
exhaust the water. The shaft was afterwards aban¬ 
doned at the depth of 160 feet, owing to accidental ex- 
plosion of accumulated gas, one man being killed by 
same. 

The obtaining of the above information was a striking 
exemplification of the saying, “ knowledge under dif¬ 
ficulties.” The works were inclosed by a high board 
fence, intended to shut out inquisitive mortals. Over a 
small door, apparently the only entrance, was painted, 
in large letters “No Admittance,” a Yankee phrase, 
signifying “ Come inaccordingly we went in, but 
were soon accosted by a person evidently in authority, 
who requested us to “ go out.” Being hard of hearing, 
we asked for the Superintendent of the Institution, and 
were told he was in town, where we might see him. 
Our business was made known in a few words, that we 
should be pleased to incorporate some items regarding 
the Shaft, in our history. This request met with a pe¬ 
remptory refusal. Said we would have to get permission 

from C-M-, as he was opposed to giving any 

thing of the kind. We then asked permission to look 
at and go down into the merits of the thing. But this 
faithful guardian was too old a bird to be caught by 
such chaff. He eyed us suspiciously, as though he 
were fearful we would pocket his big hole in the ground, 
or whisk away his 20 horse-power engine, and was proof 
against all our entreaties. We failed to call on C. M., 
having obtained all the requisite information from a 
thoroughly reliable source. If he or his subordinate 
will call upon us, we promise to enlighten them fully 




LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 421 

upon the subject. A large number of wells were sunk 
on this farm in 1860 and 1861, to a shallow depth, but 
are now abandoned. There are 25 old wells visible, 
most of them have derricks, or fragments of same stand¬ 
ing. No wells producing. One well drilling—or fishing 
for tools. Have four engines on the property, besides 
the one sinking the Shaft. Many more wells were sunk, 
but not a vestige of same is now to be found. 

Cohell Farm .—On Allegheny river, south side, in 
Limestone township, opposite lower portion ofTideoute. 
Original owners, D. & J. Ralston. Contains 100 acres. 
Present owners, Ralston and others, and a Philadelphia 
Oil Company. Purchased in 1864. Bounded on the north 

by river,east by Economy Oil Company, south-,west 

by Richardson. Seven miles from Hickory, and opposite 
Tideoute. Bearing of Allegheny river west. Road to 
Hickory west, to Irvine east. 

A large number of wells were drilled on this farm in 
1860 and 1861. Most of them are now abandoned. 
There are now standing ten derricks—all over shallow 
wells. Some of these have produced considerable oil. 
There are eight more conductors in view, showing 
where oj^erations have been carried on in former days. 
Have only three engines on the property now. The 
depth of the old wells average about 200 feet. 

Economy Oil Company lands. — On Allegheny 
river, south side. Original owner: Wm. Davidson. Pre¬ 
sent owners, Economy Oil Company. Purchased in 
1858 or 1859. Contains 6,000 or more acres. Bounded 

on the north by river, east and south by-, west by 

Ralston. Opposite Tideoute, and 14 miles from Irvine. 
Bearing of Allegheny river southwest and west. .Road 
to Hickory west, to Irvine east and northeast. Have 
five producing wells, all pumping. Daily average 




422 


PETROLIA. 


yield, 70 barrels. Five non-producing wells. One of 
these formerly flowed. Commenced producing in De¬ 
cember, 1860. The wells are producing about the same 
now as when first drilled. Have produced about 10,000 
barrels. Depth of wells, 135 feet. Average cost, $500. 
Wells located on the table lands on the river side. 
Owned by the Society. Have six engines on property. 
Depth of sandrock, 107 feet—44 feet thick. Had ninety- 
two feet of soapstone and slate. Depth of driving-pipe, 
15 feet. 

The Economists to whom this tract belong are a 
German Association, who some fifty years ago founded 
Harmony, in Butler County. Lived there for many 
years. They afterward removed to Indiana, on the Wa¬ 
bash river. At their new home they lost quite a num¬ 
ber of their members, and were quite unfortunate in 
many other respects. In a short time, they returned to 
Pennsylvania, and located fourteen miles below Pitts¬ 
burgh, in Beaver County, and there built their present 
abiding place, or town, called Economy. There are 
now about 300 membe.s. They formerly numbered 
800. A large majority of the present members are 
quite aged. They are very wealthy, and own all things 
in common, neither marry nor give in marriage. Their 
business is transacted by two trustees. They have a 
council of twelve members, for the transaction of all im¬ 
portant business. They are extensively engaged in the 
cannel and bituminous coal business, in Beaver County. 
They formerly manufactured various articles, such as, 
silks, &:c. Are now large wine manufacturers, their 
vineyards being quite extensive, and their wine is noted 
for its excellence and purity. They have one of the 
most beautiful locations on the Ohio river, and several 
hundred acres of land under a high state of cultivation. 
The Society are noted,in connection with their wealth, for 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 423 

their morality and strictness in their religious principles. 
They are of the Lutheran persuasion. Their business 
outside of their home is carried on by men whom they 
employ. None of the members go outside of their 
home for the transaction of any business, except the 
two Trustees, to oversee the same. All wear a plain 
dress, similar in style, of blue or grey home-made cloth. 
Females have the common female dress, after a similar 
pattern, and eschew the modern fashions, paniers , 
Grecian bend, &c., and in fact dress like women of 
good common-sense, comfortable and decently. The 
present Trustees are R. L. Baker and Jacob Henrici. 
Davidson, the former owner of this property, became 
involved financially, and the Company, or rather Society, 
loaned him money. He failed, and the Society, in 
order to save themselves, bid in the property at the 
Sheriff’s sale. They afterward gave Davidson a lease 
of it for two years. In this time, he became able to 
discharge all his other obligations, and had a handsome 
competency besides. 

Henry Farm. —On Allegheny river, west and north¬ 
west side, and on Dennis Run and Grove Run, in Deer¬ 
field township, containing 300 acres. Original owner, 
Robert Henry. Present owner, New York & Alle¬ 
gheny Oil Company. Purchased in 1864. Bounded 
on the north by Tideoute and Warren County, east by 
river, south by Kortman. Fifteen miles from Irvine, 
ten from Garland, ten from Enterprise. Bearing of 
Allegheny river southwest and south. Dennis Run 
southeast, Grove Run northeast. Road to Hickory 
south, to Tideoute north and northeast. Have five 
producing wells, as follows: Bennett well, 15 barrels 
per day; Shugart well, 70 barrels; Porter well, 30 
barrels; Puroleum well, 70 barrels; Slocum well, 180 


424 


PETROLIA. 


barrels. All pumping. Bonus paid for leases, $500 to 
$3,000. Have five old wells non-producing. Average 
depth of wells, 325 feet. Average cost of same, $3,000. 
Commenced producing in November, 1865. Have 
produced 10,000 barrels. Have twenty-five wells in 
progress on Dennis Hun, and thirty more to be com¬ 
menced. Wells located on hillsides of ravine, on Den¬ 
nis Hun and Grove Hun. Owned by lessees. Com¬ 
pany have a royalty of one half the oil. Have thirty 
portable and stationary engines. Depth of first sand- 
rock, 70 feet—18 feet thick; second sand, 215 feet— 
20 feet thick; third sand, 325 feet—40 feet thick. 
Depth of driving-pipe from four to ten feet. 

The company was organized in the year 1864. Sunk 
five wells on one acre on the river, and, after operating 
about one year, and expending some $15,000 to no 
profit to the company, were about to abandon the prop¬ 
erty as valueless. But owing to the perseverance of 
the business manager and a few members of the com- 
pany, they held on, and finally extended their opera¬ 
tions on to Dennis Hun, where, in November, 1865, they 
succeeded in striking their first well, and are now on a 
good basis. They have room for a large number of 
wells on their territory, and the Warren & Franklin 
Railroad passes through the property on the river bank. 
The company are about erecting two large iron tanks 
on their property fronting on the river, convenient to 
the railroad, so they can ship by rail or river, and are 
laying pipes from their wells to same, thus saving the 
expense of teaming for a mile and a half. The business 
here is carried on by Mr. James Parshall, the business 
agent, and who is also one of the directors of the com¬ 
pany, owning one fifth interest in same, and is a resident 
of the place* Office of the company, 134 Maiden Lane, 
N. Y. City. President, S. It. Trembly; Secretary, W. 
W. Phelps. 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 425 

The company took this property into their own 
hands in June, 1864, and are now operating successful¬ 
ly. Intend to make many improvements the coming 
season. Have nearly one mile on the river opposite 
Upper Tideoute. They have a 6,000 barrel iron tank 
for storage when oil is cheap; their own carpenter, 
cooper and blacksmith shops, and every thing arranged 
to do their own work. Large bodies of timber on their 
property. 

Par shall Farm .—On Allegheny river, and on Gor¬ 
don and Dennis Runs. Original owner, Samuel Par- 
shall. Present owner, W. W. Wallace. Contains 400 
acres. Tideoute & Warren Company leased the farm 
in the spring of 1859. Company’s lands extend about 
three quarters of a mile up Gordon Run. Bearing of 
Allegheny river west and south, Dennis Run northeast. 
Have two wells on the river, producing in the aggre¬ 
gate ten barrels per day. Have 16 producing wells, all 
pumping—two of them on river. Have 26 old wells on 
the river, 14 old derricks, and 14 wells in progress on 
Dennis Run. Have a total of 20 producing wells, in 
part as follows: Combs well, 25 bbls.; Niel well, 25 
bbls.; Cincinnati well—testing; Shaw well, 40 bbls.; 
Pilgrim well, 40 bbls.; McKiel first well, 20 bbls.; Bab¬ 
cock well, 10 bbls.; Barker well, 25 bbls.; Gilson well, 
25 bbls.; Eckart & Ralston well, 50 bbls.; McKiel well 
No. 2, 30 bbls.; Mix well—testing, 20 bbls.; Mosier 
well, 30 bbls.; Biggs well, 70 bbls. Average depth 
of wells, 210 to 220 feet. Average cost of same, 
$3,000 to $5,000. Commenced producing in July, 
1865, and continued to February, 1866. Amount of 
production not ascertained. Have 34 portable and sta¬ 
tionary engines on the property. Depth of first sand- 
rock on the river, 125 feet—50 feet thick. No other 


426 


PETROLIA. 


one found. Depth of first sandrock on Dennis Run, 'TO 
feet—18 feet thick; 2d sand, 215 feet—20 feet thick; 
3d sand, 325 feet—40 feet thick. Depth of driving- 
pipe, 4 to 10 feet. 

As the ground rises in ascending the Run, the rock 
rises ten feet for every 200 feet of elevation. 

State Land .—On Dennis Run. Patented by E. 
Jones, in 1865. Present owners, New York & Dennis 
Run Oil Company, of New York. Purchased in 1865. 
Number of acres not ascertained. Have no producing 
wells. Have twelve wells in progress. Some have just 
commenced drilling and are making preparations. Have 
eight engines on the property. The wells are located 
on the upper portion of Dennis Run. 

Tideoute Borough .—Is located on the property of 
the Tideoute & Warren Oil Company, formerly Par- 
shall; Purdy property, formerly Kemier; Ralston & 
Co., formerly Arter property; McGuyr Petroleum 
Company, formerly McGuyr property, and the An¬ 
thony Courson property. It extends two miles along 
the river on the table lands. A description of the town 
will be found in another portion of this work. 

Tideoute Island, McGuyr Island, McGill & McGee 
Island, and Church Island, are all in the river at this 
point. Are unoccupied at present. Some develop¬ 
ments were made in former years, but oil was not ob¬ 
tained in paying quantities. Tideoute Island had four 
producing wells on it, at the time of the great flood in 
the spring of 1865, three engines in operation, and three 
more not set in place. All were swept away, involvin 
a loss of $6,000. The company have done nothin 
since. Two of the wells are flowing a small quantity, 
which is now running into the river. The company 


to to 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 427 

contemplate resuming operations during the coming 
summer. It belongs to the Philadelphia & Tideoute 
Island Oil Company, of Philadelphia. There are along 
the river bank, Tideoute Creek, and McGuyr Run 
six or eight old wells to be seen, and four on the islands 
above Tideoute Island. 

There has been a large number of wells drilled along 
the river, but the derricks, &c., being removed, nothing 
but the holes remain to tell of the toil of other days, 
and the investments of disappointed fortune seekers. 
The ground being covered with snow at the time of our 
visit, even the holes were not visible. 

The refineries of this locality are as follows: Star 
Works, Pinney, Williams & Co., capacity, 100 bbls. 
crude per week; O. Osborn & Son, capacity, 150 bbls. 
per week; Capt. Dingley, 180 bbls. per week. Have 
one well drilling on the property 425 feet deep. Au¬ 
rora Oil Works, J. W. Porter, 175 bbls. per week; 
Rising Sun Oil Works, White & Stilwell, 450 bbls. per 
week; Nonpareil Works, Brown, Babbett Co., 150 
bbls. Have six engines at these works. 

McGuyr Run .—A tributary of the Allegheny 
river, emptying into it in Upper Tideoute. One well in 
progress, back from the river above the town, on the 
property of the McGuyr Run Petroleum Company. 
Have one engine. The Oil City Petroleum Company 
have forty acres, off the former Parshall tract, three 
quarters of a mile from the river, on which is one well, 
over GOO feet in depth, non-producing. On the Henry 
farm is 300 acres, now owned by the Midas Oil Com¬ 
pany, of New York and Pittsburgh. Commenced four 
wells. No engines on property at present. The Brown 
tract, now Minturn & Bro., contains 600 acres, and ex¬ 
tends for three miles on the Run. Purchased in Jan., 


428 


PETROLIA. 


1865. Have two wells—one of them drilling. One of 
the wells is 600 feet, and the other 500 feet, with a 
good show of oil at 250 feet. Have two engines, one 
of which drives the saw-mill on the property. Depth 
of first sandrock, 120 feet—42 feet thick; 2d sand, 210 
feet— 30 feet thick; 3d sand, 320 feet—13 feet thick. 
Depth of driving-pipe, six to ten feet. The property 
is from two and a half to three miles from the river by 
the Run. Are arranging to drill three more wells on 
the property during coming spring. 

Tideoute Creek .—A tributary of the Allegheny river, 
emptying into the same between Upper and Lower 
Tideoute. There are six wells and three engines on the 
Kinnear property, now Tideoute Association and Em¬ 
pire Oil Co. of New York. Some of the wells are in 
progress, others apparently abandoned. No operations 
at present. Grist mill on the property, not in operation. 
Other estate on east side of Creek, has one well, not in 
operation. One refinery, not in operation, and one en¬ 
gine. Adjoining this estate, are four wells, all non-pro¬ 
ducing. On the Denning property are no developments. 
Next to this is the Bristol & Preston property, now 
Tideoute Creek Oil and Lumbering Company of New 
York. Contains 1,000 acres. Purchased in Jan., 1865, 
Have a steam saw mill. Is two and a half miles from 
river by Run. Have two wells in operation. One is 
operated by the engine of the mill. Are 200 and 500 
feet deep. Next is the Shaw tract, no developments. 
Then the Thompson property, now Oil City Petroleum 
Company. Contains 300 acres. Purchased in Novem¬ 
ber, 1864. Have one well, 600 feet in depth, non-pro¬ 
ducing, and one engine. Next is the property of the 
Arcade Oil Company of Rochester, New York. Have 
two wells, one abandoned—one drilling. Have one en- 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 429 

Gordon Run. —A tributary of the Allegheny river, 
emptying into it near the lower end of Lower Ticleoute. 
The west Branch, or Dennis Run, empties into Gordon 
Run about thirty rods from the river. (For account of 
oil interest, &c., of same, see Tideoute & Warren Oil Co., 
New York & Allegheny, and New York & Dennis Run 
Oil Co’s. Above the Tideoute & Warren Oil Co.’s lands 
come the lands of the Gordon Run Association. No 
developments. 

Next is a tract of 117 acres, formerly owned by C. 
Roupe. Now owned by the Oil City Petroleum Com¬ 
pany. Have one well in progress, and one engine. In¬ 
tend to drill to depth of GOO feet, unless sooner stopped 
by obtaining oil in paying quantities. Purchased in 
- 1864. Is two and a half miles back from the river, by 
the stream. General bearing of the stream east. There 
are no producing wells on Gordon Run at present. 
Several parties are erecting tanks above and below the 
mouth of the West Branch for the purpose of storing 
oil. Preparations are making to put down a number of 
wells on the Run in the Spring. The flat is narrow near 
the river, broader at the mouth of West Branch, and 
above West Branch very narrow, affording barely room 
for the stream and road, by crowding most of the wells 
up to the bluffs. On Gordon Run, upon the lands of 
Oil City Petroleum Company’s property, the sandrocks 
are as follows : first sand, 125 feet deep—15 feet thick; 
second sand, 350 feet—20 feet thick. Depth of driving- 
pipe, 8 feet. 

East Hickory Creek. —Above the Ball and Prather 
farms, at the mouth of the Creek, is the C. Brown 
farm. There is one well on this farm, 802 feet in depth. 
Known as the Heth well, and two wells belonging to the 
Fremont Oil Company, all non-producing. Next to 


4.30 


PETEOLIA. 


this is the lumbering tract of H. & H. II. Stowe, con¬ 
taining some 5,000 acres. Have on property one large 
gang-mill, capable of cutting 30,000 feet of lumber per 
day. The other is a single mill. This is a valuable 
tract of land, one mile from the river, with a good plank 
road to same, for the transportation of lumber for ship¬ 
ment on river. Have one well, 200 feet deep, drilled in 
1861. Was never tested. Had some oil, but was thought 
to be a non-paying well, on account of the low prices 
then prevailing. On the Bennett tract above, owned 
by the Beaver Mining and Lumbering Company of 
Philadelphia, formerly Holbrook, Allen & Co’s, property, 
is one well drilled in 1865, 600 feet deep. Produced 
some little oil, but not in paying quantities. This is also 
a lumbering tract. 

On the Tyndall property, seven miles up the Creek 
from the river, is one well, 600 feet in depth. Had a 
large show of oil, one engine and all the machinery for 
operating, now idle. Parties intend to test it more fully 
when the Spring opens. 

Manross Farm —Is on West Hickory Creek, first 

above the Green farm. Original owner,-Manross. 

Present owner, West Hickory Mining Association of 
Philadelphia. Contains 1,000 acres. Purchased in June 
1865. Is a mile and a half from the river. Bearing; of 
West Hickory Creek, southeast. Road to river south¬ 
east, to Pithole northwest. Have seven producing wells, 
and fifteen in progress. Amount of production not as¬ 
certained. Average depth of wells, 125 to 240 feet. 
Average cost, 83,000 to $4,000. Commenced produ¬ 
cing in January and Feburary 1866. Wells located on 
flat of Creek and McArthur Run. Owned by lessees. 
Have twenty-two portable and stationary engines on the 
property. Depth of first sandrock, 60 to 90 feet—10 to 



LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 431 

45 feet thick; second sand 78 to 147 feet—3 to 33 feet 
thick ; third sand, 109 to 190 feet—10 to 18 feet thick. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 10 feet. 

The sandrocks vary so much- on this farm that we 
will give the record of a few of the producing wells. 

Mull T Veil. —First sandrock, 60 feet—10 feet thick; 
second sand, 86 feet—9 feet thick; third sand, 116 feet 
—10 feet thick; fourth sand, 162 feet—12 feet thick. 
Cook well—First sand, 61 feet—8 feet thick; second sand 
78 feet—3 feet thick ; third sand, 109 feet—11 feet thick ; 
fourth sand, 143 feet—23 feet in rock. Lawrence well, 
on McArthur Run—First sand, 96 feet—35 feet thick; 
second sand, 147 feet—18 feet thick; third sand, 190 
feet—6 feet in rock. 

Seventy-five acres of this farm was sold to the Second 
National Company. On this are two wells, one produ¬ 
cing 50 barrels per day, and the other testing with a 
good show. 

The following are the producing wells, in part: 
Corson well, light oil, 25 barrels per day. Bull well, do., 
50 barrels. Cook well, do., 40 barrels. Percy well, 
heavy oil, 50 barrels. Reserve well, do. 60 barrels. 
Three other wells have formerly produced oil. Are not 
in operation at present. The old Manross well com¬ 
menced producing some two years ago. Is doing noth¬ 
ing now. The sandrock is very irregular, and the oil 
varies in gravity in wells not one hundred feet distant 
from each other. 

White Farm —On West Hickory Creek and on 
Buckhorn Run. Original owner, John White. Present 
owner, Hickory Creek Petroleum Company. Contains 
87 acres. Purchased in 1864. Two miles from river. 
Bearing of West Hickory Creek southeast, road to river 


432 


PETEOLIA. 


southeast, to Neillsburgh northwest. Have four produc¬ 
ing wells, all pumping. Twenty-five wells in progress, 
and fourteen more leases given out. The producing 
wells are as follows:—Union well, 20 barrels; No. 19, 

15 barrels; No. 40, 30 barrels; No. 38, --barrels. 

Gravity of oil obtained, 27°. Have produced some 2,000 
barrels. Average depth of wells 400 feet. Average 
cost $5,000. Commenced producing in November, 1805, 
and January, 1806. Wells located on flat and owned 
by lessees. Have twenty-nine engines on the property. 
Depth of first sandrock, 115 feet—90 feet thick; second 
sand, 120 to 180 feet—10 to 12 feet thick. Depth of 
driving-pipe 6 to 20 feet. 

On this farm is a new town laid out, called Hickory 
City. A number of buildings, consisting of hotels, 
stores, dwellings, machine shops, &c., have been erected, 
and the place presents a brisk appearance. 

Fleming Farm .— Sub-Division No. 1. — On 
West Hickory Creek. Original owner, J. Fleming. 
Present owner, Cherry Run & Trout Run Petroleum 
Company of Philadelphia. Contains 133 acres. Pur¬ 
chased in 1865. Two and a half miles from the river. 
Bearing of West Hickory Creek, southeast. Road to 
river southeast, to Neillsburgli northwest. Have four 
wells in progress, and four engines. On this tract arc 
being laid out 48 one-acre leases. 

Fleming Farm. —Sub-Division No. 2. On West 
Hickory Creek. Original owner, J. Fleming: contain¬ 
ing 160 acres. Present owners, Pennock, Bagaley & 
Co., of Pittsburgh. Purchased in 1864. Three miles 
from the river. Bearing of West Hickory Creek, south¬ 
east. On this tract are two wells in progress, and fifty- 
six leases. On sub-divisions 2 and 3, are sixty-three 
leases taken by different parties, many of which are 
being operated. 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 433 


Fleming Farm. —Sub-division No. 3.—On West 
Hickory Creek. Original owner, J. Fleming. Present 
owners, Pennock, Bagaley & Co., of Pittsburgh. Con¬ 
tains 219 acres. Three and a half miles from the river. 
Bearing of West Hickory Creek, southeast. Road to 
river southeast, to Neillsburgli northwest. There are 
eleven wells in progress on this and Sub-division No. 4 
—fifty-three leases on No. 3. Two wells drilling— 
five engines. Depth of first sandrock, 85 feet—12 feet 
thick; second sand, 155 feet—7 feet thick. Depth of 
driving-pipe, 10 feet. 

Fleming Farm. —Sub-division No 4. On West 
Hickory Creek. Original owner, J. Fleming. Present 

owners, Pennock Co., and-Davis, at Hickory 

Centre. Contains 219 acres. Purchased in 1864. 
Four miles from the river. Bearing of Hickory Creek 
southeast. Road to river southeast, to Neillsburgli 
northwest. A part of the wells mentioned in account 
of Sub-division No. 3, are on this farm. Sandrocks are 
similar, so far as drilled. 

Fleming Farm. —Sub-division No. 5—on West 
Hickory Creek. Original owner, J. Fleming. Present 
owners, Pennock, Bagaley & Co., of Pittsburgh. Con¬ 
tains 269 acres, making in the five sub-divisions a total 
of 1,000 acres. Purchased in 1864. Four and a half 
miles from river. Bearing of West Hickory Creek 
southeast. Road to river southeast, to Neillsburgli 
northwest. Have five wells in progress—none tested, 
and five engines. Depth of wells from 200 to 700 feet. 
On this sub-division are ninety-four leases. Depth of 
first sandrock, 125 feet—10 feet thick; second sand, 250 
feet—15 feet thick; third sand, 390 feet—15 feet 
thick. 

Giles Farm .—On West Hickory Creek. Original 
19 



434 


PETR0L1A. 


owner, R. H. Giles. Present owners, Shaw, Giles, 
Howe & Eastman. Contains 100 acres. Four and a 
half miles from river. Bearing of Creek southeast. 
Road to river southeast, to Heillsburgh northwest. 
Have one small saw-mill on property. Ho develop¬ 
ments. 

Gorman Farm .—On West Hickory Creek, con¬ 
taining 350 acres. Original owner, W. Gorman, 
Leased. Have two wells—one old—400 feet deep, 
with tools fast in it; and one well testing 400 feet deep. 
Depth of first sandrock, 85 feet—12 feet thick; second 
sand, 200 feet—15 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe 
18 feet. 

Miles Farm .—On West Hickory Creek. Original 
owner H. Miles. Present owners, Warren & Venango 
Oil Company. Contains 6,000 acres. 300 acres 
were leased to Duncan & Brittanbaugli. Five miles 
from river. Bearing of West Hickory Creek south¬ 
east, to Heillsburgh northwest. Have one well, pro¬ 
ducing ten barrels per day. Depth of well 367 feet. 
Commenced producing in September, 1865. Oil is 
40° gravity. Eighteen feet to bed-rock. Depth of 
sandrocks not ascertained. Two saw-mills on the prop¬ 
erty. An effort is being made to build up a town. 
This is a very good lumbering point. 

Gorman Farm .—On west branch of West Hick¬ 
ory. Original owner, Michael Gorman. Contains 185 
acres. Present owners, Adnah Heyhart, and Salem Oil 
& Lumbering Company, of Salem, Ohio. Purchased 
in 1864. Two miles from Heillsburgh. Bearing of 
west Branch of West Hickory south of east. Road to 
Heillsburgh southwest, to Tideoute northeast. Ho pro- 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 435 

ducing wells. Have two engines on property. Have 
two wells not tested, and several leases given out. 
The Hey hart hotel is located here. Mr. Hey hart pur¬ 
chased the whole tract, afterwards sold fifty acres of 
same to the Salem Oil & Lumbering Company, who 
also own a one-fourth interest in the lands of the West 
Hickory Oil & Lumbering Company, on the Main 
Creek and a branch of same. 

Next to this is a reserve of a few acres with one 
well drilling—400 feet deep and one engine. Next to 
this is the property of H. Beatty, 421 acres, on both 
branches at the forks of the Creek. Have one well 
drilling, and another in progress; two engines, and 
two old abandoned derricks; have one sawmill on the 
property. 

The next property is that of the West Hickory Oil 
& Lumber Association. Contains 200 acres, and is a 
lumber tract. Are building a steam sawmill. Have 
one large engine. The property lies on branches of 
Creek. 

Next is the property of John and Benjamin Gor¬ 
man, on Main Creek. No developments. 

Next is the property of the Fremont Oil Company, 
of Philadelphia, being ninety-four acres off from 
Michael Gorman farm. Have one well drilling and 
one engine. 

One well drilling on the Dow property, joined by 
Mr. Bonier, owner of twenty acres off the same tract, 
on lower end. 

On West Branch, J. Pierce purchased of Wm. 
Wallace and Wm. S. Alcorn, 285 acres. Sold twenty- 
four acres to Cherry Bun & West Hickory Petroleum 
Company. One well on Pierce tract, and one on Wal¬ 
lace tract—two engines. Steam sawmill run by J. S. 
Pierce & Bros. 


436 


PETROLIA. 


On Cranberry Run, a tributary of West Hickory, is 
the property of R. C. Scott, containing 100 acres. He 
sold a one-half interest to a Chicago Oil Company. 
Have four wells drilling, and four engines. 

Adjoining, J. R. Smith & Co., have fourteen acres, 
on which are two wells, nearly completed, and two 
engines. A steam sawmill on the property, run by J. 
R. Smith & Co. 

On East branch of West Hickory is thirty acres 
belonging to Capt. Birch of Waterloo, New York. No 
developments. 

Next on same branch, is the property of the Grove 
Farm Oil Company, of Pittsburgh, containing 950 
acres. Have two wells drilling—nearly completed, and 
two engines. This tract has a large river front, below 
the property of the New York & Allegheny Oil Com¬ 
pany of New York City. Parshall Run passes 
through property. 

Next is seventy-eight acres, owned by W. Wallace 
—one well non-producing. 

Next is the property of the Triumph Oil Company 
of Pittsburgh, 200 acres from off the Wallace tract. 
Have two wells in progress, and two engines. 

LITTLE IIICKOEY. 

Walter Farm .—On Little Tionesta Creek, east 
side, and on the Allegheny river. Original owner 
M. Walter. Present owners, Frazee & Co., of Roches¬ 
ter, N. Y. Contains 600 acres. Have two wells, 
one 250 feet deep, and the other 560 feet. Oil found 
in both, but not as yet in paying quantities. Have one 
engine pumping the deep well. 

Next to this is the Walter Barnes farm, containing 
300 acres. Is now owned by a Pittsburgh Company. 



LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 437 

Have one well 500 feet dee]), non-producing, and one 
portable engine. 

Next are the Barnes & Church farms, now owned by 
the Little Hickory Oil Company, of Philadelphia and 
New York. Contains 460 acres. Purchased in 1864. 
Have one well drilling, which is now 400 feet deep. Had 
good shows of oil, but don’t find it in paying quantities 
by testing. 

Next is the Hatch Farm, now owned by the Cincin¬ 
nati and Pittsburgh Oil Company, containing 833 acres. 
Have two wells, one 760 feet, the other 1,160 feet. No 
oil. Average cost, $8,000. Depth of first sandrock, 
255 feet—75 feet thick; second sand, 310 feet—6 
feet thick, from 1,004 to 1,010 feet—hard grey sand. 
There is a sawmill on the property, not in operation. 

Jamison Farm —On Jamison Run, a tributary of 
the Allegheny river, on west side. First farm back from 
river, containing 40 acres. Owned by Fahnestock Bros., 
of Pittsburgh. Purchased in 1864. Have one well, 715 
feet deep, tools fast; no oil. Next to this is the Henry 
Sutley farm, one and a half miles from river, owned by 
a Buffalo Oil Company. Number of acres not ascertain¬ 
ed. Have one well, 440 feet deep. 

TIONESTA CREEK. 

First above Tionesta Borough is the G. G. Sickles 
farm, one well on same, belonging to Hughes & Wickes, 
600 feet deep. Depth of first sandrock, 245 feet; second 
sand, 560 feet—23 feet of white and 11 feet of grey sand ; 
third sand, 40 feet of white sand. Depth of driving-pipe, 
30 feet. These parties have an improved plan for drill¬ 
ing—using a cam arrangement instead of the walking- 
beam, and turning the tools by the same machinery. Have 
another well on same property, called the Shirley well, 


438 


PETROLIA. 


COO feet deep, owned by lessees. Next come farms in 
the following order: Noble’s farm, 80 acres; Dale Bros, 
farm, 60 acres; Towner & Brett farm, 130 acres; Keyser 
farm, 80 acres; Dale Bros, farm, 150 acres; known as 
the C. J. Lloyd purchase,—New York parties. Dale 
Bros., south side, 200 acres—now Rose & Griffith ; Dale 
& Bro., 108 acres; D. Stow, north side, 75 acres—now 
Pittsburgh, New York & Tionesta Oil Company. Pur¬ 
chased in 1864. Have two wells, one 600 feet deep, and 
the other, 1,000 feet, one old well 200 feet deep. Have 
two engines. Depth of first sandrock, 300 feet deep— 
40 feet thick; second sand, 900 feet deep—60 feet thick. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 36 feet, wells not tested. 

Conroy farm, on north side of Creek, containing 50 
acres; has one well, known as the Conroy well. Is 
600 feet deep; the oil from this well is peculiar, different 
from any other discovered in this region. It is of a 
beautiful straw color, but is not obtained in paying quan¬ 
tity. Are now drilling the well deeper. This has been a 
remarkable well; the drillers claim to have drilled 
through a vein of copper. Rock all hard. Have one 
engine. 

J. A. Dale farm, north of the Creek, 120 acres ; no 
developments. John Noble farm, 58 acres, no develop¬ 
ments, now owned by Capt. Brett & Co. May & 
Bros., north side of Creek, 300 acres; now owned by 
Morris & Co., Fredonia, N. Y. Have one well, 500 feet 
deep, non-producing, and one old well. May & Bros., 
north side, 120 acres, now owned by S. Q. Brown, of 
Pleasantville; leased by May Farm Oil Company of 
Pottsville, Pa. Have one well 713 feet deep, not tested, 
with a good show of oil and gas. Flowed water and oil 
for some time. Difficulty between the lessees and land 
interest. Have stopped operations. Stow Blakely 
farm, north side of Creek, 400 acres. No developments. 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 439 

Now owned by Wm. Richardson & Co. Hyner farm, 
north side, 100 acres. Now owned by Richardson & 
Brognard. No developments. Henry Pierson farm, 
on north side, 500 acres. No developments. Now 
owned by Rose, Griffith & Co. Stephen Smith farm, 
south side, 100 acres. Now owned by Richardson & 
Brognard. No developments. 

Tionesta Lumbering & Mining Company, formerly 
Hall & Lacy—called Lacy Town. Population, 150. 
Have here a gang saw-mill, grist-mill, hotel, store, tan¬ 
nery, dwellings, Ac. 5,000 acres in the tract. Have 
three wells, not tested. One has the tools fast in, and 
one is being drilled. Depth from 300 to 700 feet. 
Have three engines. Is on south side of Creek. Wm. 
White farm, on both sides of Creek, containing 1,000 
acres; owned by Woolf & Co., and Eastman Co. 
No developments on south side. Two wells on north 
side. One is 300 feet in depth, and has the tools fast in 
it. The other is 400 feet deep. Have two engines. 
Amasa Purdy farm, lies on both sides of the Creek. 
Now owned by Frank Allin & Co. Contains 1,000 
acres. Harrington farm, on both sides of the Creek, 
contains 200 acres. No developments. Green & Gor¬ 
don farm lies on both sides of the Creek, containing 1,800 
acres; now owned by Spooner, Mowry & Co. Have 
a saw-mill, and a number of tenement houses. Is a 
good lumbering location. No oil developments. 

Newtown mill property lies on both sides of Creek, 
known as the H. Stow property formerly, now as the 
Stow, Wheeler & Co. property. Contains 6,000 acres. 
Is twelve miles from the mouth of Creek. This is an 
excellent lumbering tract, containing a large amount of 
pine, hemlock, cherry and oak timber. No oil develop¬ 
ments on the property. Have two large saw-mills, capa¬ 
ble of cutting out millions of feet of lumber per year. 


440 


PETKOLIA. 


Have eight miles of a tram railway for the transportation 
of logs to the mill, using horses for the motive power. 
Surface indications here are good for oil. 

Next is the Johnson farm, on both sides of the Creek, 
containing 960 acres. Now owned by the Tionesta 
Creek Oil Company of Buffalo, N. Y. Have four wells 
on the property, one 1074 feet in depth. Known as 
the deep well of Tionesta Creek—flows about one quart 
of oil per week. When first struck was supposed to be 
a good well. The hole is rough and crooked, preventing 
it from being chambered. If reamed out straight would 
probably prove productive. Are now drilling a well 
near it, which has reached the depth of 570 feet. Oil is 
obtained from the depth of 254 feet from this by means 
of sand pump, being just beneath a white conglomerate 
rock. There is one well on Fork Run, a branch of Tion¬ 
esta, 800 feet deep, non-producing, and one on Salmon 
Run, 650 feet deep, tubed, but not tested. 

Joining the above tract is the property of the Salmon 
Creek Petroleum Company, on Salmon Creek, contain¬ 
ing 500 acres. This is a portion of a 7,000 acre tract be¬ 
longing to the Marcy Oil, Lumbering & Mining Com¬ 
pany, of Philadelphia. Have two wells on the 500 acre 
tract, one 650 feet deep, non-producing, and one 650 feet 
deep, now testing. Have plenty of salt water. Company 
intend to drill to depth of 1,000 feet. The sandrocks of 
this locality are close, gray and hard. Depth of first 
sand, 103 feet—6 feet thick; second sand, 248 feet—3 
feet thick. Sand and shale rock alternate all the way 
down. Salmon Creek is a tributary of Tionesta Creek, 
emptying into it fourteen and a half miles from the 
mouth of same at Allegheny river. 

Next is the May farm, known as the Minister Eddy 
property, now owned by Schooley & Co., of Philadel¬ 
phia. Purchased in 1865. Lies on both sides of the 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 441 


Creek, containing 1,600 acres of land. Is a fine lumber¬ 
ing tract. Have one steam and one water mill. Timber, 
pine, hemlock, white oak and cherry. 

Next is the W. W. Crook property, containing 6,- 
600 acres. Lies on both sides of the Creek. Is a good 
lumbering tract. Abundance of pine, hemlock, oak and 
cherry timber. Mr. Crook at his death willed this tract 
to the Pennsylvania Hospital and Blind Asylum. This 
property reaches to and beyond the county line. 

TUBS RUN. 

On the Dale & Irwin farm, now owned by A. B. 
Kelly & Co., one and a half miles from the creek ; there 
is one well 600 feet deep, pumping some oil, but not in 
paying quantities. On the Ford property, one mile fur¬ 
ther up, is one well, with the tools fast in a mud vein. 

HUNTER RUN. 

Hunter Farm.— On Hunter Run. Original owners, 
Wm. & John Hunter. Present owners, Banner Oil 
Company of Pittsburgh. Contains 200 acres. Pur¬ 
chased in January 1865. Near the river, opposite Tio- 
nesta. Bearing of Hunter Run, south of east. I our 
non-producing wells. Depth of wells from 355 to 800 
feet. Average cost, $5,000. Wells located on the flat 
and owned by the Company. Have four portable and 
stationary engines. Depth of first sandrock, 200 feet * 
10 feet thick; second sand, 310 feet—20 feet thick; 
third sand, 342 feet—13 feet thick; fourth sand, 3/0 feet 
—10 feet thick ; fifth sand, 420 feet—25 feet thick. We 
find the sandrock very irregular here. Depth of 
driving-pipe, 4 to 8 feet. 

One well on next farm above, owned by a IN ew York 
Oil Company, 600 feet deep. Had some indications of 
oil. Non-producing. 

19 * 


442 


PETROLIA. . 


LITTLE TIONESTA CREEK. 

Irvine Farm .—On Little Tionesta Creek. Original 
owner, Richard Irvine. Present owners, John Anderson 
Petroleum Company of New York. Contains 1,500 
acres. Purchased in 1865. Half a mile from the river, 
and two miles from Tionesta Borough. Bearing of Lit¬ 
tle Tionesta Creek, east of south. Road to Tylersburgh 
east of south. Llave four non-producing wells. Depth 
of wells, 600 to 700 feet. Average cost of wells, $7,000. 
Located on the flat and owned by the company. Have 
four portable engines. Depth of first sandrock 100 feet 
—8 feet thick; second sand, 250 feet—15 feet thick. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 5 to 17 feet. Well No. 1 at the 
depth of 240 feet struck a crevice, and had a fine show 
of gas and oil. This was so strong that for three nights 
no lamps could be lighted in the derrick without danger 
of igniting. 

Edmonson cO Sligo Farms .—On Little Tionesta. 
Original owner, J. Edmonson and G. Sligo. Present 
owners, Little Tionesta Petroleum Company. Purchas¬ 
ed in December, 1864. Contains 213 acres. Bounded on 
the north by Neeley, east by Proper, south by Dale, 

west by-. Four miles from the river, and six 

miles from Tionesta Borough. Bearing of Little Tion¬ 
esta Creek north of west. Road to Tylersburgh east of 
south, to Hemlock south. Have two wells, one of them 
not tested, one flowing water; and two testing. Depth 
of wells, 750 to 865 feet. Average cost, $6,000. Wells 
located on the flat, and owned by the Company. Have 
two portable engines. Depth of first sand, as follows: 
to bed-rock, 35 feet, to regular sand, 103 feet. 

The Proper Farm, next above, was purchased by 
J. T. Hegg, of New York. No developments. 



LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 443 


stewart’s run. 

Beginning at the mouth of this Run, is the Thomas 
M‘Calmont farm, now owned by the Farrar Oil Com- 
dany of Boston, and Samuel Duff of Pittsburgh; each 
owning an undivided half. For a more full description 
consult the beginning of this chapter. The J. S. M‘Cal- 
mont farm, which has also been previously described, is 
the next adjoining, fronting on the Allegheny river, reach¬ 
ing back and across Stewart’s Run, at the mouth of Pine 
Run, and Sugar Camp Run. Hills arc high and abound 
with timber. The flat is about twenty rods in width. 

Taylor Farm .—On Stewart’s Run, in President 

township. Original owner,-Taylor. Present owner, 

S. Q. Brown. Have two non-producing wells. One is 
200 feet deep, and has the tools fast. The other is an 
old well. Have two engines. 

McKinley Farm .—On Stewart’s Run. Original 
owner,-M‘Kinley. Present owners, Church & Her¬ 

bert. Number of acres not ascertained. Have four 
non-producing wells, only one of which has been tested. 
Depth of wells, from 600 to 700 feet. Cost not ascer¬ 
tained. Wells located on the flat and hill-side. Have 
three portable engines. This property adjoins the Hood 
farm on the side of the hill. 

Ileckard Farm. —On Stewart’s Run. Original own¬ 
er, Jonathan Heckard. Present owner,-Hutchins. 

The United States Oil Company has a lease of thirty-six 
acres. Contains 200 acres. Have one producing well, 
yielding three barrels per day. Is reported to have 
produced twenty-five barrels, when first struck. Have 
one well drilling. Total production, reported, 300 
barrels. Doubtful. Average depth, 650 feet. Cost, 




444 


PETKOLIA. 


$8,000. Commenced to produce in September, 1865. 
Wells located on the flat and owned by the United 
States Oil Company. Have two engines. Depth of 
first sandrock, 94 feet—40 feet thick ; second sand, 344 
feet—30 feet thick ; third sand, 455 feet—20 feet thick; 
fourth sand, 602 feet—19 feet thick; fifth sand, 635 feet 
—8 feet thick; sixth sand, 659 feet—23 feet thick; 
seventh sand, 700 feet—3 feet thick. Depth of driving- 
pipe 40 feet. 

Fair Farm. —On Stewart’s Run, and at the mouth 
of Johnson’s Run. Original owner,-Fair. Pres¬ 

ent owners, Fair Farm Oil Company. Contains 120 
acres. Purchased in the fall of 1864. Have one non¬ 
producing well, and one in progress. Average depth 
of wells, 704 feet. Average cost, $8,000. Wells loca¬ 
ted on the flat and owned by Company. Have two 
engines. Sandrocks same as on Heckard farm. Depth 
of driving-pipe, 40 feet. 

Dawson Farm. —On Stewart’s Run. Original 
owner, James Dawson. Present owners, Pittsburgh & 
Stewart’s Run Oil Company, of Pittsburgh. Contains 
300 acres. Purchased in February, 1865. Bounded 
on the north by Abbott, east by Savage, south by But¬ 
terfield, and west by Roorer. Three miles from Tio- 
nesta, three miles from Pithole, three from Howarth, 
and four from Tyrrel’s. Bearing of Stewart’s Run, 
south. Road to Tionesta east, to Pithole west, to 
Howarth and Tyrrell’s northwest. One well has pro¬ 
duced a small quantity—100 barrels in all. Have two 
non-producing wells—one not tested, and the other a 
failure. Average depth of wells 625 feet. Average 
cost, $8,000. Commenced producing in November, 
1865. Wells located on flat, 80 feet above the level of 



LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 


445 


the United States well at Pi thole. Owned by the 
Company. Have three portable engines. Depth of 
first sandrock, 119 feet (grey)—18 feet thick; second 
sand 231 feet (grey)—7 feet thick; third sand, 374 feet 
(grey)—16 feet thick; fourth sand, 393 feet (grey)—22 
feet thick; fifth, 431 feet—19 feet thick; sixth, 455 
feet—11 feet thick; seventh sand, 473 feet—(white) 12 
feet thick; eighth sand, 508 feet—5 feet thick; ninth 
sand,—grey and red—524 feet—20 feet thick; tenth, 
614—grey—5 feet thick. When first struck, well No. 
3 blew gas very strong for twelve hours, when it 
commenced to produce oil. Hills gently sloping. Not 
as high as below on the Creek. 

Abbott Farm .—On Stewart’s Hun. Original own¬ 
er, M. Abbott. Present owner, Stewart’s Run Petro¬ 
leum Company, of New York. Contains 180 acres. 
Purchased in January, 1865. Bounded on the north by 
M‘Kinley, east by Ball, south by Dawson, west by W. 
J. M‘Kinley. Bearing of Stewart’s Run, south. Have 
three non-producing wells. Have tested two. Depth 
of wells 600 to 700 feet. Average cost, $8,000. Wells 
located on flat, and owned by company. Have four 
portable engines. Depth of first sandrock, 119 feet— 
18 feet thick; second sand, 213 feet—7 feet thick; 
third sand, 374 feet—16 feet thick; fourth sand, 393 
feet—22 feet thick; fifth sand, 431 feet—19 feet thick; 
sixth sand, 455 feet—11 feet thick; seventh sand, 473 
feet—12 feet thick; eighth sand, 508 feet—5 feet thick; 
ninth sand, 524 feet—20 feet thick; tenth sand, 614 
feet—5 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 22 feet. 

M'-Kinley Farm .—On Stewart’s Run. Original 
owner, John M‘Kinley. Present owner, Chicago Oil 
Company. Contains 87 acres. Purchased in January, 
1865. No developments. 


446 


PETEOLIA. 


The Wm, M‘Kinley Farm joins on the Run. Prop¬ 
erty of Ironsides Petroleum Company, and Meadville 
Company, located here. Have one well drilling. No 
wells down. Have one engine. Next to this is the 
Range Farm. No developments. 

Dawson Farm .—On Stewart’s Run. Former 
owner, J. H. Dawson. Present owners, Queens Coun¬ 
ty Association, of Long Island. Contains 100 acres. 
Purchased in April, 1865. Have one well, the Remsen, 
testing. Depth, 606 feet. Cost, $5,500. Wells located 
on flat and owned by lessees. Have one portable en¬ 
gine. Depth of first sandroek, 102 feet—16 feet thick; 
second sand, 241 feet—26 feet thick; third sand, 553 
feet—70 feet thick. Mixed with slate. Depth of 
driving-pipe, 58 feet. 

Green Farm. —On Stewart’s Run. Origiual owner, 
Robt. Green. Present owners, Jocelyn Oil Land Asso¬ 
ciation, of New York. Contains 350 acres. Purchased 
in 1865. Bounded on the north by Kelly, east 
Rynd & Copeland, south by Siggins & Dawson, west 

by-. Four miles from Tionesta, four from West 

Hickory, and five miles from Pithole. Bearing of 
Stewart’s Run, west of south. Road to Tionesta south¬ 
east, to Pleasantville northwest. Have two wells now 
producing, two testing, and one in progress. Depth of 
wells 680 and 730 feet. Oil found in both at the depth 
of 580 feet. Cost $6,000. Wells located on the flat, 
and owned by lessees. Have three portable engines. 
Depth of first sandrock, 112 feet—10 feet thick; second 
sand, 145 feet—16 feet thick; third sand, 309 feet— 
22 feet thick; fourth sand, 580 feet—white—40 feet 
thick; fifth sand, 636 feet—22 feet thick ; sixth sand, 
676 feet—grey and red—34 feet thick. 



LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 447 


These wells are on the upper waters of Run. Hills 
gently sloping. Here are a few buildings, the com¬ 
mencement of a new town, called Jocelyn City. Have 
three hotels, one church, stores, shops, school-houses, 
&c. 


Johnson’s run. 

Johnson Farm .—On Johnson-s Run. Original 
owner, John Johnson. Present owner, Boston Oil Com¬ 
pany; Capt. Pray, agent. Own 30 acres of farm. 
Other owners not ascertained. Purchased in 1865. 
Three miles from East Pithole, and three-fourths of a 
mile from Stewart’s Run. Bearing of Johnson Run, 
south. Road to Pithole west. Stewart’s Run and 
Tionesta east. Have one non-producing well, 600 feet 
deep—tools fast. Cost $7,000. Wells located on the 
flat and owned by Company. Have one portable en¬ 
gine. Depth of first sandrock, 100 feet—22 feet thick; 
second sand, 244 feet— 22 feet thick; third sand, 584 
feet— 40 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 18 feet. 

Leedham Farm .—On Johnson’s Run—table lands. 
Original owner, John Johnson. Present owners, 
Northern New York Petroleum Company. Purchased 
in February, 1865. Contains 67 acres. Bounded 
on the north by Dr. Egbert, east by lands of Provi¬ 
dence Petroleum Company, south by-, west by 

Switzer. Three miles from Pithole east; three- 
fourths of a mile from Stewart’s Run. Bearing of 
Johnson’s Run south. Road to Pithole City west— 
to Tionesta east. Have two wells, both blowing gas 
in large quantities, and one well in progress. Depth of 
wells 683 feet, and 708 feet. Are to be drilled deeper 
when the gas can be exhausted. Wells located on 
table lands above the Run. Owned by the Company. 



448 


PETROLIA. 


Have two portable engines. Depth of first sandrock, 
14G feet— 22 feet thick; second sand, 290 feet— 22 feet 
thick; third sand, 630 to 684 feet—17 feet of hard 
sand, and 23 of soft rock. Depth of driving-pipe, 18 
feet. 

These wells are on the table lands, west side of 
Johnson’s Hun, and known as the great Gas Wells. 
They are located 250 feet above the level of Pitliole 
Creek, at the United States well. The first well was 
drilled to the depth of 630 feet and tested, with but 
slight indications of gas or oil. It was then drilled 
through the next hard rock to the depth of 680 feet. 
Tested it for two days, getting water with but little 
gas. The sucker-rods were then withdrawn to repair 
the sucker. After taking out a few rods, the gas began 
to come out, causing the water to bubble and boil in 
the tubing. This agitation increased as the sucker, or 
pumping rods were withdrawn. When the rods were 
all removed, the water spouted above the top of the 
derrick, and continued until all the water was exhausted. 
Then a powerful volume of gas burst forth with a 
deafening roar, which was heard a distance of five miles, 
jarring the ground about the well like an earthquake. A 
pipe being put into the well, and projecting above the 
derrick, with branches leading off in different directions, 
carried off the gas. This was ignited, and at night 
could be seen a distance of twelve miles. The second 
well, drilled a short distance from the first, is similar in 
all respects. The company contemplate drilling both 
deeper when they can overcome the gas so it will be 
safe to operate them. They are drilling another well 
1100 feet distant, and run all the machinery by the gas 
obtained from these wells, besides lighting up and 
warming the engine-house and derrick. When the 
pipes at the well are opened, the gas makes a loud re- 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 449 

port, like the sudden letting off of steam from the 
safety-valve of a steam engine under a powerful head 
of steam. According to early ideas of oil miners, 
where so much gas is found, there should be a corre¬ 
sponding quantity of oil. But in all subsequent wells of 
this kind, but little oil has been found, with perhaps a 
few exceptions. We don’t propose to theorize on the 
subject. 

SUGAR CAMP RUN. 

Vanctine Farm ,—On Sugar Camp Run. Original 

owner,-Yandine. Present owner, Oak Ball Oil 

Company, of Philadelphia. Purchased in the fall of 
1864. No developments. 

William Willings, adjoining, on Sugar Camp Run 
and on Stewart’s Run. Present owners not ascertained. 
Contains sixty-six acres. Purchased in the fall of 1864. 
Have one non-producing well 630 feet deep. Cost 
$5,000. Wells located on flat and owned by Company. 
Have one stationary engine. Depth of first sandrock, 
130 feet—18 feet thick; second sand, 390 feet—30 
feet thick; third sand, 520 feet—40 feet thick. Depth 
to rock, which is sand—of driving-pipe, 14 feet. 

Hoffman Farm .—On Sugar Camp Run. Original 
owner, J. Hoffman. Present owners, Oak Ball Oil 
Company, of Philadelphia. Contains 100 acres. Pur¬ 
chased in the fall of 1864. Have four non-producing 
wells. Depth of same, 450 to 563 feet. Cost $5,000. 
Located on flat and owned by Company and lessees. 
Have four engines on property. Wells are named as 
follows: Turing well, Wilcox wells, Nos. 1 & 2, and 
Oak Ball well. Depth of first sandrock, 170 feet—18 
feet thick; second sand, 460 feet—30 feet thick ; third 
sand, 520 feet—40 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe 
14 feet to bed-rock—a gray sand, 20 feet thick. 



450 


PETROLIA. 


Young's Farm —On Sugar Camp Run. Original 

owner,-— Youngs. Present owners, Oak Ball Oil 

Company, of Philadelphia. Contains 100 acres. Pur¬ 
chased in the fall of 1864. Have one non-producing 
well, partially tested, 500 feet deep. Cost $5,000. Lo¬ 
cated on the flats and belong to Company. Have one 
stationary engine. Depth of first sandrock, 170 feet— 
18 feet thick; second sand, 460 feet—30 feet thick; 
third sand, 520 feet—40 feet thick. Depth of driving- 
pipe, 14 feet. 

Switzer Farm, on Sugar Camp Run, owned by 

-Switzer, has four non-producing wells on same. 

Present owners not ascertained. 

PINE RUN. 

At the mouth of this Run, where it empties into 
Stewart’s Run, is one well on the J. S. M‘Calmont 
farm—now Onondaga Oil Company. On the Brown 
tract is one well 750 feet deep, belonging to the Cicero 
Oil Company of Syracuse, N. Y. Is non-producing. On 
the Thos. M‘Calmont farm, now Farrar Oil Company, is 
one well, 450 feet deep, non-producing. Belongs to the 
Yandyne Oil Association, of Newark, N. J. Pumping 
but very little oil. Reported out of the region as pro¬ 
ducing forty-one barrels per day, but only has to be 
seen to know to the contrary. One well about one 
mile above, owned by the Pitliole & Oil City Oil Com¬ 
pany, over 550 feet deep. Are drilling but very little. 
Had a fair show of oil, at the depth of 520 feet; are 150 
feet above level of Stewart’s Run. One well still above, 
belonging to the same Company, 450 feet deep, with 
tools fast. The company own 1,000 acres or more of 
land, and have made but little development. The val¬ 
ley of Pine Creek Run is narrow, hills high, growing less 
in height as it reaches back from Stewart’s Run. Emp- 




LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 451 

ties into Stewart’s Run one mile from the river. Two 
engines above the Vandyne Company’s wells. 

The new oil development of the two last years, 1867 
and 1868, have been less general than informer years, 
being confined to localities. The principal among these 
have been Tideoute and vicinity, Shamburg and Pleas- 
antville. We have concluded to give such sketches of 
these localities as we think will prove of general interest. 

TIDEOUTE AND VICINITY. 

Economy Oil Company. The large tract of land 
owned by this company has been previously described. 
The old wells produced for seven years from the time 
of their drilling. The Company leased a considerable 
part of their land on the bluff in the early part of 1867. 
This tract has since proved highly productive. Total 
of producing wells at date of Jan. 1 , 1869, twenty-two ; 
daily production, 600 barrels. Number of non-produ¬ 
cing wells, twenty-two. The bluff is very abrupt, and 
some 500 feet above the level of the Allegheny river. 
Upon the top of this blufij or hill, are the present wells 
located. The average depth of wells is from 430 to 590 
feet, and cost about $3,000; all the wells are put down by 
contract at $1.25 per foot. All the wells are owned by 
the Company save those on Hiland’s ten acre lease, and 
part of Ralston & Eckert’s. Total production of farm to 
date 210,000 barrels. Depth of first sandrock, 165 feet 
—10 feet thick ; second sand, 312 feet—18 feet thick ; 
third sand, 408 feet—23 feet thick. Wells all cased to 
first sandrock, and some of them below. The Company 
have declined to lease any more at present, and intend 
to put down a number of wells on their own account in 
the Spring. The Company have purchased during the 
last season lease given by them to Fisher Bros., consist¬ 
ing of twenty acres, for $80,000 ; Eckert’s portion of the 


452 


PETKOLIA. 


Ralston & Eckert lease, twenty acres, being one half of 
the same, for $60,000. 

There is a great discrepancy manifest here regarding 
the depth at which the sandrocks are found. The old 
wells on the flats average about 150 feet in depth ; on 
the bluff, some 500 feet above the river, the third sand- 
rock found at an average depth of 430 to 575 feet. We 
have noticed no similar feature between bluff and flat 
wells,in any other locality. Have thirty engines on the farm. 

Noble Tract , or Irwin's —Located on the Allegheny 
river, adjoining lands of Economy Oil Company, oppo¬ 
site Tideoute. Original owner,-Davidson. Con¬ 

tains 800 acres. The property is now in litigation be¬ 
tween Noble and Irwin, Noble in possession. Have 
four pumping wells on the farm, yielding a daily produc¬ 
tion of sixty barrels, and three non-producing wells. 
Depth of wells, 500 feet. Average cost, $3,500. Wells 
located on bluff, owned by Company and lessees. 
Five engines on property. Sandrocks, same as those on 
farm of Economy Oil Company. A portion of this farm 
fronts on the river, making a broad flat. 

Tideoute do Warren Oil Company —Located on Den¬ 
nis Run. Since our previous report, some forty wells 
have been drilled. The new development commenced 
in August, 1866. Average daily production, since that 
time, 300 barrels. Twenty-one wells are now 
producing. Daily production, five hundred barrels. 
The lands of the Company are being rapidly developed. 
The lands of the Company originally cost them $10,000. 
The stock of the Company is owned by ten stockholders. 
In 1867, the dividends from the property amounted to 
$15,000 per share. In proportion to capital invested, 
this is probably the largest dividend ever declared by 
any Oil Company. 



LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 453 

Recently some excellent wells have been obtained on 
the Jason farm, adjoining the lands of the Tideoute & 
Warren, and development is progressing rapidly. The 
lands of the Tideoute & Warren Oil Company lay on 
both sides of Dennis Run. 

New York & Allegheny Oil Company —Located just 
above Tideoute & Warren Company’s. Have been pre¬ 
viously described. The development and production 
since 1866 has been considerable. The Superintendent 
being absent in New York, we failed to get the inform¬ 
ation so much desired. The territory of this Company 
is excellent, and when fully developed, will doubtless 
prove highly productive. 

Triumph Oil Company's Tract .—Located on head¬ 
waters of main branch of West Hickory Creek, and of 
Dennis Run. Former owner, W. W. Wallace. Present 
owners, Triumph Oil Company, of Pittsburgh. Contains 
239 acres. Twenty-five acres have been sold off to va¬ 
rious parties. Purchased in 1864. Have drilled alto¬ 
gether 44 wells. Of these 31 were producing. During 
a portion of the summer of 1867, the daily production 
of this farm was 2,000 bbls. per day. Only lasted for 
about two months. Average depth of wells 700 feet. 
Average cost $4,000. Total production on main tract 
170,000 bbls. On the 25 acre tract, 60,000 bbls. Com¬ 
menced producing in Nov. 1866, and on to date. Wells 
are on the hill. Owned by Company & lessees. Depth 
of first sandrock, 450 feet—20 feet thick ; second sand 
500 feet—25 feet thick; third sand, from 50 to 60 feet in 
the rock. Total thickness unknown. Company are 
taking up the old leases as fast as forfeited, and grant 
no new ones. Are now sinking a well through the 
third sand. The wells make no show or sign before 


454 


PETEOLIA. 


being tested. The largest well produced when first 
struck, by pumping, 400 bbls. per day. About 50 acres 
of the property have been developed. Only about half a 
dozen wells are now being operated. Daily production 
100 bbls. per day. The highest point of elevation on 
this farm above the Allegheny river is 610 feet. The 
city of Triumph now consists of but a few houses, and is 
a mere semblance of its former greatness. The lands 
on the hill are rolling, and afford ample room for oil 
operations. Triumph City is two miles by Run, from 
Tideoute. Road to Titusville, north of east; to Tideoute, 
south of west. Bearing of Dennis Run, north and south 
of east. 

At the time of our visit, the weather was extremely 
cold, and some two feet of snow covered the surface of 
the ground. As a consequence, operations were inac¬ 
tive. For some time previous, operations had been 
limited. The excitement that prevailed in this neigh¬ 
borhood in 1867, has left its signs, in the shape of scores 
of deserted derricks. The wells from the mouth of Den¬ 
nis Run to the top of Triumph Hill were clustered too 
thickly together, and flooded each other by dozens. The 
new fields of Shamburg and Pleasantville having been 
opened up about this time, a general exodus of the 
Triumph operators took place. The landowners having 
made a handsome profit from their royalty, are content 
with the reversion of their leases, so fast as they become 
forfeit. By plugging up a portion of the wells, effectually 
shutting off the surface water, they can obtain a number 
of excellent wells at a moderate cost. This plan is be¬ 
ing fully carried out by the land owners in all former 
large producing localities. The operator, or one who 
leases, is content to skim over the surface of the new oil 
fields that are being opened up from time to time. 

On the road to Triumph City, the traveler passes 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 455 

through the once noted city of Babylon ; its first inha¬ 
bitants indicated by the name. The better class of 
people in the neighborhood soon rid them out. It is 
now deserted by all but a solitary saloon keeper. 

A large amount of development has been had in the 
neighborhood of Tideoute in the past two. years, with 
excellent average success. During that period the daily 
production has averaged from 1,200 to 1,500 barrels. 
The territory developed is but a small proportion, and 
the producing area is being constantly enlarged by new 
developments in the surrounding localities. The main 
producing localities of the present time are the hills and 
table lands. Very few wells are in operation on the flats. 

SHAMBURG. 

The extension of the development toward the head¬ 
waters of W est Pith ole Creek and its numerous branches, 
during 1866 & 1867, which resulted in the striking of 
some fair wells, at differents points, finally culminated, 
late in 1867, in the striking of a number of wells on the 
lands of the Pittsburgh and Cherry Run Petroleum 
Company, the Shamburg Petroleum Company, Tail- 
man and Atkinson farms, at the headwaters of Upper 
Cherry Run, on the first of the table lands extending 
beyond Pleasantville. This oil field is about one mile 
and a half from the Miller Farm Station of the Oil 
Creek and Allegheny River Railroad, on Oil Creek, three 
miles southwest of Pleasantville, and six miles from the 
Allegheny River. The largest production of this locality 
was between two and three thousand barrels per day. 
In the Spring of 1868, when the development was at its 
height, Pleasantville bloomed forth in its full glory, 
and caused many of the Shamburg operators to 
commence operations in the new and more promis¬ 
ing field. As usual, a considerable town grew up with 


456 


PETKOLIA. 


the first development, containing hotels, livery stables, 
saloons, and stores of all kinds. While many of the first 
operators left Shamburg, a large number remained, and 
as a general thing have achieved a greater average suc¬ 
cess than has been met with at Pleasantville. Some of 
the wells in this locality have produced from four to five 
hundred barrels of oil per day, while one hundred bar¬ 
rel wells have been quite numerous. We have in no 
place met with a better class of operators. The opera¬ 
tions so far have been principally confined to a narrow 
strip of the table lands, where it forms a basin-like de¬ 
pression on the west, and upon the flat and bluff of 
Upper Cherry Run, on the east. The first embraces the 
Tallman and Atkinson farms, and the latter the lands of 
Shamburg and Pittsburgh and Cherry Run Petroleum 
Companies. The sandrocks here are clear and well 
defined, being of hard close texture, as compared with 
those of Pleasantville. The frequency of mud-veins 
occasion great annoyance to oil miners. But the most 
serious obstacle met with, is the crumbling, loose nature 
of the rocks or slates met with at considerable depths. 
This annoyance can only be avoided by the use of large 
casing. 

On the eastern portion, on the lands of the Sham¬ 
burg & Pittsburgh and Cherry Run Petroleum Compa¬ 
nies, is the dividing line between the green oil and the 
black. This line is defined sharply, as if by a plummet, 
and is a seeming idiosyncracy of nature. The rock in 
which the black oil is found is thin—15 to 20 feet thick— 
coarse, and extremely porous in its nature. The rock 
of the green oil is seldom less than 25 feet in thickness, 
and generally averages 40 to 50 feet on elevated lands, 
the third, or last, sand, in all cases except Pleasantville 
and vicinity, increasing in thickness with the altitude. 
As, for instance, the oil-bearing sandrocks at the 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 457 

mouth of Dennis Run, Tideoute, is only 15 to 20 feet 
thick ; further up, on Triumph Hill, an elevation of 610 
feet above the level of the Allegheny river, the same 
rock has been drilled to the depth of from 50 to GO feet 
without getting through it. The same fact is observa¬ 
ble in all other localities, both on river and on the creeks. 
The wells producing green oil are distant but a few rods 
from those producing black oil. The depth drilled is 
about the same average, and the general features met 
with in drilling exhibit great similarity, except a slight 
difference of the last regular sandrocks met with, these 
being coarser and darker than those met in the wells of 
the so-called “ green oil belt.” The cause of this col¬ 
oring of the oil is doubtless owing to the rock containing 
it. So far as we can learn, the gravity and general na¬ 
ture of the black oil is the same in all general respects 
as the green oil found over the entire oil region. Some 
well-informed operators ascribe the coloring of the oil 
to the presence, at great depths, of oxide of iron. Ox¬ 
ide of iron manifests its presence in the third sandrock, 
in a number of localities where only green oil is found. 
The most marked instance of this kind is found in the 
last sandrock of Triumph Hill, Tidionte. 

The general machinery used by operators in this vi¬ 
cinity is the best that can be had. In earlier years, the 
average height of derricks for the shallower wells of 
Oil Creek were from 20 to 30 feet. Those of Sham- 
burg, as well as all other localities where deep wells are 
required, are 56 feet in height, and 24 feet square 
at the base. In earlier years, the weight of the dril¬ 
ling-tools was about 600 jiounds. The weight 
of the drilling apparatus used for the deep wells of the 
present day is from 1,600 to 1,800 pounds, and the rest of 
the machinery is in proportion. The force with which 
this ponderous mass strikes the rock at the depth of 
20 


458 


PETROLIA. 


several hundred feet, having the weight of the heavy 
rope in addition, can be imagined. The extrication of 
the same when it becomes fastened from some unfortu¬ 
nate accident is comparatively no greater than in the 
case of smaller apparatus of the same kind, owing to the 
invention of implements corresponding to the strength of 
tools and difficulties met with. 

The present daily production of the Shamburg Oil 
field is from 1,200 to 1,400 bbls. per day. The oil is 
conveyed to the Miller Farm Station by Abbott & Har¬ 
ley’s Oil Pipe Line, the main terminus of which is at 
Miller Farm. The oil is here stored in large iron tanks, 
being generally purchased by the Pipe Company, at the 
ruling market prices. Shamburg and vicinity is well 
located, being convenient to both the creek and railroad, 
thus afford ample facilities for transportation and ob¬ 
taining supplies. 

On the western portion of the Atkinson farm, the third 
sandrock is not found, having doubtless cropped out in 
the first elevation above the valley of Oil Creek, the alti¬ 
tude of this farm above the level of Oil Creek being, we 
should estimate, some three to four hundred feet. We 
have no record of the third sandrock being generally 
found in the valley of Oil Creek, from the Noble well, on 
the Farrel farm, to Titusville. On Church Hun, about two 
miles from Titusville, it again makes its appearance. The 
absence of the third sandrock caused a cessation of ope¬ 
rations in a Western course, yet we are of opinion it will 
again be found continuous in a more southerly direction. 
The table lands of Shamburg are high and rolling, cov¬ 
ered in places with heavy timber; pine, oak, and cherry 
prevailing. Several streams emptying into the Allegheny 
take their rise in this vicinity, affording ample water, 
while excellent springs are quite numerous. We give 
below a detailed description of the principal producing 
farms. 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 459 


Pittsburgh and Cherry Pun Petroleum Company 
Tract .—Located on the headwaters of Cherry Run. 
Original owner, O. Stowell. Present owners, Pitts¬ 
burgh and Cherry Run Petroleum Company, of Pitts¬ 
burgh, Dr. G. Shamburg being the largest owner of 
the same. Purchased in 1864. Contains seventy-eight 
acres. Bounded on the north by lands of Huidekoper 
Petroleum Company, east by Clark and Brown Bros., 
south by the A. Clark farm, west by J. R. Tallman 
farm. Two miles from Miller Farm Station, three and 
a half miles from Pithole, three miles from Pleasant- 
ville, six miles from Titusville, and six miles from the 
Allegheny River. Cherry Run heads three quarters of 
a mile north, and runs through the western portion of 
the farm. Bearing of stream south of east and south 
of west. The road leading from Plumer to Titusville 
passes through east end of farm. Have twelve produc¬ 
ing wells on farm ; no non-producing wells. The two 
first wells pumped and flowed, but it was considered 
best to pump them. Four new wells in progress. The 
first well, the Shamburg, commenced producing Febru¬ 
ary 19, 1866. Total production estimated 300,000 
barrels. Average depth of wells, 840 feet. Average 
cost of wells, $4,500. Wells located principally on the 
flat. Owned in part as follows : First well, Dr. G. Sham¬ 
burg ; second well, Pittsburgh & Cherry Run Petro¬ 
leum Company ; third well, J. B. Fink, fourth and fifth, 
Dr. D. Bly; fifth, sixth, and seventh, Dr. Shamburg. 
Commenced the drilling of one well with pole-tools, but 
failed to finish the same by that means, the pole-tools 
proving a failure. Depth of first sandrock, 112 feet— 
30 feet thick ; second sandrock, 290 feet—28 feet thick ; 
the third sandrock, which is considered by Dr. Sham¬ 
burg—a close observer, by the way—to be the first sand- 
rock of the valley of Oil Creek, is found at an average 


460 


PETEOLIA. 


depth of about 520 feet, and is about 25 feet thick. On 
the southwest corner of this farm, and on the west end 
of the Clark farm below, this sandrock is not found. 
Fourth sand is found at 640 feet—25 feet thick; fifth 
sand, or oil-bearing rock, 775 feet—50 to 60 feet thick. 
The oil is principally pumped at about twenty feet 
from the bottom of this rock, excej)t in few wells, that 
pump their oil from the bottom of the rock. Between 
the sandrocks are layers of slate-rock, with an occa¬ 
sional layer of soapstone. The third sandrock contains 
considerable oxide of iron, and by some is called the 
red rock. The quality of the fifth sand is pebble, 
mixed with fine white sand. Close to Cherry Bun, 72 
feet of driving-pipe is used. Some five rods back, 45 
feet, and in some places, 27 feet only is required. 

We give the following detailed record of well No. 
12, on the property of the Pittsburgh and Cherry Run 
Petroleum Company, kindly furnished by Dr. Sham- 
burg : 

38 feet, depth of driving-pipe. 

38 feet, soft slate rock. 

70 feet first sandrock. 

71 feet, water crevice. 

91 to 112 feet, crevices. 

130 feet, through fine white sandrock, 60 feet thick. 

132 feet, gray sandrock, hluish cast. 

152 feet, passed through same, 20 feet thick. 

153 feet, slate-rock ; good drilling to 245 feet. 

245 to 256 feet, hard, dark slate and sand to 278 feet. 

278 feet, hard pebble sand-sliell, 18 inches thick. 

280 to 289 feet, hard, gray sand and slate. 

289 feet, second sandrock, hard pebble, 11 feet thick. 

300 feet, sand, bluish cast, white pebbles, 5^ feet thick. 

305 £ feet, gray and white shells for 29£ feet. 

338 to 440 feet, blue sandy rock, mixed with slate. 

420 to 480 feet, blue and red rock, alternate. 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 461 


505 feet, hard, blue rock shell, 15 feet thick. 

520 feet, third sand; very hard, white and yellow peb¬ 
bles, 10 feet thick. 

530 feet, mud vein. 

545 feet, through third sand, 25 feet thick; two crevices, 
and gas very strong. 

545 to 575 feet, blue sand and slate to 605 feet. 

608 feet, hard shell, 2 feet thick. 

610 to 636 feet, blue slate. 

636 feet, hard, white sand, mixed with pebble; hard 
shell, 4 to 5 feet thick. 

640 feet, top of the fourth sand. 

648 to 654 feet, hard pebble. 

654 feet, large gas vein and show of oil. 

655 feet, bad mud vein. 

668 feet, through fourth sand, 28 feet, 6 inches thick. 

745 feet, slate; hard shell, 6 inches thick. 

745 to 748 feet, hard slate. 

748 feet, hard shell, yellow pebble, and good gas vein. 

750 feet, slate rock. 

768 feet, slate and hard shells. 

776 feet, top of fifth sand. 

776 to 778 feet, pebble rock, open and porous. 

778 feet, crevice, gas vein, and good show of oil. 

781 feet, rock becomes darker. 

783 feet, dark rock, gassy. 

784 feet, porous rock. 

792 feet, white and yellow pebble, crevice, oil and gas. 

794 feet, white rock, coarse and porous. 

806 feet, mud vein. 

828 to 830 feet, white and yellow pebble. 

830 feet, hard, close white sand. 

834 feet, slate and sand mixed, to 835 feet, bottom of the 

well. 

This proved to be an excellent producing well, one 
of the best on the farm. 

Shamburg Petroleum Company .—Located on the 


4G2 


PETROLIA. 


headwaters of Upper Cherry Run, in Oil Creek town¬ 
ship. Original owner, Marshall Goss. Present owners, 
Shamburg Petroleum Company. Contains 100 acres. 
Bounded on the north by lands of J. E. Benninghoff, 
east by Widow Lytle and Huidekoper Petroleum Com¬ 
pany, south by J. R. Tallman, west by Atkinson. Up¬ 
per Cherry Run heads on east end of farm, bearing 
north and south. One mile and a half from Miller Farm 
Station, two miles from Pleasantville. Road leading 
from Titusville to Plumer passes through the farm. 
Total of producing wells, sixteen. All the wells drilled 
on the farm have produced oil. Two new wells drill¬ 
ing. Commenced producing August, 1867. Total 
production to date of January 1 , 1869, 100,000 barrels, 
estimated. Average depth of wells, 900 feet. Average 
cost, $4,500. Wells located on high table lands. 
Owned by company and lessees. About twenty en¬ 
gines on the farm. Sandrocks about the same as on 
Pittsburgh and Cherry Run Petroleum Company. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 25 to 40 feet. 

Tallman Farm .—On headwaters of Upper Cherry 
Run, in Oil Creek township. Original owner, John R. 
Tallman. Present owners, Frank W. Andrews, F. L. 
Backus, Lyman Stewart, Milton Stewart, C. II. & W. 
C. Andrews, John W. Irvin. Purchased in 1865 by 
W. C. Andrews. Contains 110 acres. Bounded on the 
north by Sheridan farm (or Shamburg), east by lands 
of Pittsburgh and Cherry Run Petroleum Company, 
south by A. Poor and Atkinson. Upper Cherry Run 
passes through farm south. Pithole and Miller Farm 
plank-road passes through the southern boundary of the 
farm. Have twenty-eight producing wells, and nine 
non-producing. All the wells, except one, have pro¬ 
duced oil. Daily production at date of January 1, 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 463 

1869, 400 barrels. Commenced producing in Septem¬ 
ber 1867. Total production to date of January 1 , 1869, 
over 200,000 barrels. Well No. 112, struck in April, 
1867, flowed at the commencement 400 barrels per day. 
Average depth of wells, 860 feet. Average cost, 
$4,800. Wells located on high table lands. Owned 
by landowners and lessees. Have thirty-two engines 
on the property. Depth to top of first sandrock, 90 to 
100 feet; to top of second sandrock, 315 feet— 20 feet 
thick ; top of third sandrock, 545 feet— 25 feet thick; 
to top of fourth sand, 685 feet— 40 feet thick ; to top 
of fifth sand, 810 feet— 50 feet thick. Depth of driv¬ 
ing-pipe, 25 to 40 feet. 

The following estimate of the cost of drilling a 
well on this farm, in detail, was kindly furnished ns by 
Mr. Stewart, the superintendent: 


Engine, new, set up.$1,150 

Drilling-rig, complete. 550 

Driving-pipe, belting, &c. 200 

Drilling-contract price. 2,000 

Tubing, casing, sucker-rods, &c. 900 


Total.$4,800 


Average time required to drill a well, 40 days. 

The cost of running wells on this farm, including 
contingencies, is from $200 to $500 per month. Gas 
is used exclusively for fuel. Where coal is required, 
this amount would be increased, say $500 to $750 per 
month. This estimate is made for v T ells pumping 
twenty-five barrels per day and upward. 

The following table shows the sales of oil made 
from the farm, and the value of same, from February 
1, 1868, to January 1 , 1869 : 









4GI PETEOLIA. 


MONTHS. 

BARRELS. 

VALUE. 

February.. 

. 9,313. 

. $17,632.88 

March. 

. 4,948. 

. 11,348.36 

April.. 

. 4,584. 

. 11,288.38 

May. 

. 19,222. 

. 60,500.66 

June. .... 

... . 22,791. 

. 89,504.17 

July. 

. 25,403. 

. 121,113.65 

August. 

. 12,859. 

. 55,881.43 

September,,. 

. 54,372. 

. 211,478.52 

October..... 

. 15,445. 

. 58,538.14 

November. 

. 17,754. 

.. 67,744.65 

December.. 

. 11,914. 

. 50,668.36 

Totals.... 

.. . .198,665. 

. ... $755,699.20 


Average price for 18G8, per barrel $3.06. 


Atkinson Farm .—On branch of headwaters of 
Cherry Run, in Oil Creek township. Former owner, 

- Fleming. Present owners, Sherman, Barnsdall 

& Co., of New York. Contains about 180 acres. 
Purchased in 1866. Is one and a half mile east of Mil¬ 
ler Farm Station, or Oil Creek, four miles from Pleas- 
antville, Pithole four miles, Titusville eight miles. 
Bounded on the north by F. H. Bennehoff farm, east 
by lands of Shamburg Petroleum Company and Tail- 
man farm, south by A. Poore, west by H. Fleming, 
and S. J. Sutley. Roads, Miller Farm Station west, 
Pithole southeast, Pleasantville northeast, Titusville, 
north. Have six producing wells on the farm, and 
thirty-one non-producing wells. Commenced produc¬ 
ing in July, 1867. Present daily production, sixty 
barrels. Total production of farm to date of January, 
1, 1869, 210,000 barrels. All but six of the non-pro¬ 
ducing wells have produced oil. The Jack Brown and 
Fee wells have been the most productive on the farm. 

The Jack Brown well commenced producing De¬ 
cember 27, 1867, flowing 431 barrels per day. The 





























LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FORMS. 465 

following is the production and value of the same of 
the well for each month of its existence : 


MONTHS. 

BARRELS. 

VALUE. 

January. 



February. 



March. 



April. 



May. 



J une. 



July. 


. 6,000 

August. 


. 8,000 

September. 

.... 1,500. 


Totals. 

....73,000. 

.$141,000 


The Fee well commenced flowing in January, 1868, 
300 barrrels per day, and averaged for five months 
8,000 barrels per month. For July the production was 
3,500 barrels ; August, 1,500 barrels ; September about 
100 barrels, and ceased. Total value of product, $133,- 
500. 

Average depth of wells, 880 feet. Vary according 
to elevation. The Atkinson farm is nearly 400 feet 
above the level of Oil Creek. 

The following is a record of the sandrocks : Jack 
Brown well No. 2, on lease 108 —distance from surface 
to top of first, or “ mountain sand,” 100 feet—thickness 
of same, 100 feet; distance from surface to top of sec¬ 
ond sand, 310 feet—thickness, 25 feet; distance from 
surface to top of third sand, 557 feet—thickness 13 
feet; distance from surface to top of fourth sand, 769 
feet— 25 feet thick; distance from surface to top of 
fifth sand, 817 feet—thickness 44^ feet. Total depth 
of well, 875 feet. Depth of seed-bag, 325 feet; mud 
veins, 827 feet; working-barrel, 25 feet from bottom 
20 
























466 


PETEOLIA. 


of well. Plenty of gas to run two engines, and daily 
production of well when struck, 75 barrels. Depth of 
driving-pipe varies considerably according to elevation. 
At one well on the flat 100 feet of pipe were required, 
there being, as was supposed, a deep fissure in the rock. 
In other places on the farm, from 25 to 35 feet of pipe 
only is required. Fifteen engines on the property. 
Wells owned by lessees. 

A number of wells will be drilled upon this farm 
during 1869. It is well located, and has proved highly 
productive. But a small portion of the farm has been 
developed. 


PLEAS ANT VILLE AND VICINITY. 

The excitement prevailing upon the first develop¬ 
ments at Pleasantville and vicinity, in the Winter and 
Spring of the past year, 1868, ranks next to Pithole in 
former years, and in general was characterized by sim¬ 
ilar features. 

A few wells were struck in this vicinity as early as 
1865 and 1866, producing, in small quantity, for some 
two or three years. The story related of one of these, 
that fish without eyes were brought up in the sand 
pump from a depth of 500 feet, is, we are inclined to 
believe, highly apocryphal. The story related of the 
locating of the first well, the Harmonial No. 1, on the 
Porter farm, in the borough limits of Pleasantville, that 
led to the extensive development of 1868, by spiritual¬ 
istic agency, is stoutly affirmed by the party who claims 
to have been the instrument selected for locating the 
famed well. We give it for the consideration of the 
reader: 

During the Fall of 1867, a gentleman named James 
was journeying from Pithole to Titusville. When ar¬ 
riving opposite the site of the Harmonial well, which is 








































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































1 











' 

* 














LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 467 

convenient to the main road, he became so strongly 
magnetized by supernatural agency, that he was com¬ 
pelled to alight from his carriage, and was guided to 
the exact location of the well, by the same mystic 
power, and the spot for the sinking of the same indi¬ 
cated to him in some unmistakably manner that only 
those initiated into the mysteries of spiritualism fully 
comprehend. 

We have no evidence that the “spirits” aforesaid 
supplied the capital necessary to drill the well thus lo¬ 
cated. But certain it is that Mr. James procured the 
necessary sum, went to work on the spot thus indicated, 
and in February, 1868, succeeded in obtaining a well 
producing at the rate of considerably over 100 barrels 
per day of black oil, and now ranks among our wealth¬ 
iest operators. 

The striking of the new well created great excite¬ 
ment among oil miners generally, and all who could 
hastened to secure leases in the new oil field. Of 
course, no one put any faith in the highly supernatural 
narrative of Mr. James. But strange to relate, every 
operator located his well as near to the “ Harmonial ” 
as they could get, and were generally rewarded by ob¬ 
taining excellent wells. 

In a short time, scores of new wells in the neighbor¬ 
hood were in process of drilling. Never has there 
been shown so great a spirit of competition between 
the oj}erators of the different localities, as was here ex¬ 
hibited. It became an established fact that every well 
drilled would prove a paying one. Thus secure in 
making the investment, the operators were each eager 
to sink the greatest number of wells, and thus secure 
the largest amount of the liquid treasure. The striking 
of each new well served to increase the excitement, and 
by the time Spring had fairly opened, the oil scenes of 


408 


PETKOLIA. 


Pithole were being reenacted at Pleasantville. The 
plodding landowners of that thrifty neighborhood sold 
large amounts of their lands at prices ranging from 
$500 to $2,000 per acre, and in some instances at double 
the latter figure. Every road leading to the place was 
thronged with travellers, while the few hotels afforded 
scarcely standing-room for the crowds who flocked to 
them. The prices of engines and well-machinery ad¬ 
vanced materially, and all the machine shops of the Oil 
Pegion were kept running night and day to fill the 
orders that were crowded upon them by the eager op¬ 
erators. Property changed hands rapidly. Interests 
in wells “ going down,” were freely vended, and but 
few were willinc; to be so much out of the fashion as to 
acknowledge that they owned no interests at Pleasant¬ 
ville. All who ever had any inclination to invest in 
new oil fields went into the new enterprise with a rush. 
The long-headed, cautious folks, who in the beginning 
gave vent freely to unfavorable predictions of the 
future of the new oil field, waited a brief time, and 
then went into the speculation too. The only class, 
within the writer’s acquaintance who did not invest at 
Pleasantville during the memorable season of 1868, 
were those impecunious mortals who found it impos¬ 
sible to “ finance ” through a sixteenth interest. Dur¬ 
ing the Summer of 1868, the arrivals at Pleasantville 
frequently averaged 1,000 persons per day. The ex¬ 
citement culminated late in the summer. 

The fourth sandrock at Pleasantville is found all 
over the entire field at an average depth of about 900 
feet. It is from fifteen to twenty feet thick only, and 
exceedingly coarse and porous in its nature. The suc¬ 
cesses in this field will doubtless present a greater num¬ 
ber of producing wells in proportion to the number 
drilled, than in any that have preceded it. But the 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 469 

aggregate of production has been less than that of any 
of the others. The highest daily production of the en¬ 
tire field has scarcely exceeded 2,000 barrels. The 
present production ranges from 1,500 to 2,000 barrels. 
So thickly have the wells been clustered together, that 
the whole supply of oil, or at least a greater portion, in 
the localities first developed, seems to have been ex¬ 
hausted by the pumps. The wells that have been struck 
latterly are of but brief duration—generally yielding an 
average of first production but a few weeks, and then 
rapidly declining in the yield. Many operators are 
inclined to the belief that the supply first found 
“ sweated ” through the coarse fourth sandrock, being 
forced up from the depths below, and is now about 
exhausted. Green oil in any appreciable quantity has 
not as yet been found. Traces of it have been discov¬ 
ered, it is stated, in the fifth sandrock, and many are 
preparing to drill their wells still deeper during the 
present season, hoping to find other and more inex¬ 
haustible supplies of oil at a greater depth. The fifth 
sandrock, where found, is considerably thicker, and 
harder, and closer in its texture, than the fourth. We 
hope the new venture will prove successful. Operators 
are still following the extension of the “ oil belt ” 
toward Enterprise and to the river, at or about Tide- 
oute, and occasionally get good wells. But by far the 
greater number are prospecting new oil fields in various 
portions of the Oil Region. 

We have found it about impossible to get an intel¬ 
ligible description of the development on each of the 
different tracts of oil lands at Pleasantville and vicinity, 
the same having been cut up and sold in small parcels. 
We shall, therefore, be compelled to give a detailed 
description of a number of the principal producing 
farms. 


470 


PETEOLIA. 


Considerable additions have been made to the town 
since the commencement of the oil excitement, both of 
population, dwellings, and business-houses, and some 
excellent hotels. Pleasantville is located on the summit 
of the high table lands, and in point of altitude may be 
called the summit in this region of country. The land 
is well adapted to farming purposes, and has been 
highly cultivated. It has ever been one of our thrift¬ 
iest inland towns, and its people noted for their wealth, 
pleasant homes, and high culture. We should estimate 
its present population at about 2,000 to 2,500. The oil 
from this neighborhood is transported to Titusville by 
an oil-pipe line, and an excellent plank-road leads to 
Titusville, only six miles distant. With a large extent 
of territory yet undeveloped, Pleasantville bids fair to 
remain for a long time the centre of a large producing 
oil field. We give the main producing farms as fol¬ 
lows : 

jS. Q. Brown , Bates , and others’ Tract —In Oil 
Creek township. Original owner, A. Dawson. Pres¬ 
ent owners, S. Q. Brown, Bates, and others. Purchased 
in 1868. Contains seventy-five acres. Bounded on the 
north by Brown, Fertig & Hammond, east by Mor¬ 
rison, south by J. H. & H. B. Hebert, west by lands 
of Vesta and National Oil Companies. One mile from 
Pleasantville, six from Titusville, and four miles from 
Miller Farm Station. West branch of West Pithole 
Creek runs through the property in a southerly direc¬ 
tion. Pleasantville and Shamburg road passes through 
the farm. Eleven producing w T ells on the property, all 
pumping. Average depth of wells, 800 feet. Average 
cost, $5,000. No non-producing wells. Commenced 
producing in September, 1868. Total production to 
January 1 , 1869, about 15,000 barrels. Wells located 
on the high table lands. Owned by company and les- 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 471 

sees. Have ten portable and stationary engines on the 
property. First sandrock, of varied thickness, is found 
at depths varying from 200 to 300 feet; second sand, 
490 feet— 40 feet thick; third sand, 720 feet— 40 feet 
thick; fourth sand, 800 feet— 15 to 20 feet thick. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 15 to 75 feet. Present daily 
production, January 1 , 1809, 500 barrels. 

Brown Bros. Tract .—On west branch of West Pit- 
hole Creek, in Oil Creek township. Original and pres¬ 
ent owner, Brown Bros. Contains sixty-four acres. 
Purchased some thirty years since. Bounded on the 
north by Byers tract, east by Porter & Wright, south 
by Armstrong, west by lands of Vesta Petroleum Com¬ 
pany and Charles Hyde. Is half a mile from Pleasant- 
ville. West branch of West Pithole Creek passes 
through property in a southerly direction. Road to 
Pleasantville and Shamburg southeast. Have twenty- 
nine producing and ten non-producing wells on the 
property. All the wells have formerly produced oil in 
paying quantities. Average depth of wells, 800 feet. 
Average cost, $500. Commenced producing in July, 
18G8. Present daily average production, 150 barrels. 
Total production to date of January 1 , 1869, 50,000 
barrels. Wells located on table lands. Owned by 
company and lessees. Sandrocks and depth of driving- 
pipe about same as previously described. In fact, one 
description of sandrocks will answer for the entire dis¬ 
trict, the same being generally uniform in general 
respects. Have twenty-eight engines, portable and sta¬ 
tionary, on the property. 

Holeman & Newkirk Tract .—In Pleasantville bor- 
ouo-h. Original owner, Thos. Mitchell. Present own- 
ers, Holeman & Newkirk. Purchased in September, 


4:72 


PETROLIA. 


1868. Contains twenty-four acres. Bounded on the 
north by Dunham road, east by Anderson, Carroll & 
Co., south and west by Pi thole and Pleasantville plank- 
road. Five producing wells on the farm. Present 
daily average production, 160 barrels. Total produc¬ 
tion to January 1 , 1869, 4,000 barrels. Average depth 
of wells, 880 feet. Average cost, $5,000. Commenced 
producing, October, 1868. Wells located on table 
lands. Owned by company and lessees. Average 
thickness of sandrocks, 18 feet. Depth of driving-pipe, 
12 to 20 feet. 

Brown <£ House Tract .—In the borough of Pleas¬ 
antville. Original owner, Aaron Benedict. Present 
owners, Brown & House. Purchased in July, 1868. 
Contains forty acres. Bounded on the north by Wat¬ 
kins, east by Dawson, south by Third street, west by 
Main street. Five producing wells. Daily production 
at date of January 1 , 1869, 100 barrels. Total pro¬ 
duction to same date, 2,500 barrels. Commenced pro¬ 
ducing November, 1868. Average depth of wells, 
875 feet. Cost, $5,000. Wells located on table lands. 
Thickness of sandrock, 18 feet. Have seven engines 
on the property. Depth of driving-pipe, 20 feet. 

Tyrrell Farm .—On Dunham Run, in Oil Creek 
township. Original owner, Beujamin Tyrrell. Present 
owners, Brown, Watson & Porter. Contains 175 
acres. Purchased in 1868. Bounded on the north by 
Dunham, east by Crossman, and W. D. Byles, south by 
Lamb, west by Wrigglesworth and Dunham. Is one 
mile from Pleasantville, southeast. Dunham Run 
passes through the farm in a southerly direction. Dun¬ 
ham road and Warren and Franklin turnpike bearing 
east. Have two small wells, with a nominal produc¬ 
tion. Just commenced active developing. Average 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 473 

depth of wells, 850 feet. Cost, $5,000. Commenced 
producing in July and August, 1868. Sandrocks are 
the general average. Depth of driving-pipe, 20 feet. 
Have four engines on the property. 

Porter Farm .—In Oil Creek township, borough of 
Pleasantville. Original and present owner, William 
Porter. Purchased about thirty years since. Contains 
forty-four acres. Bounded on the north by lands of 
Dawson’s heirs & Jack, east by Hebbard, south by 
Wright, and west by Main street. Number of produc¬ 
ing wells, twenty, and nine in progress ; one well part¬ 
ly drilled and plugged up. All the wells are produc¬ 
ing. Commenced producing in February, 1868. Pres¬ 
ent daily production not ascertained. Total production 
of farm to date of January 1 , 1869, 25,000 barrels. 
Average depth of wells, 850 feet. Cost, $5,000. Wells 
located on table lands. Owned principally by lessees. 
Have twenty-seven engines on the the property. Depth 
of first sandrock, 350 feet— 25 feet thick ; second sand, 
575 feet— 20 feet thick; stray sand, 688 feet; distance 
from stray to third sandrock, 28 feet; third sand, 715 
feet— 20 feet thick; mud vein in third sand at 735 
feet; fourth sand, 820 feet— 21 feet thick. 

This was the first producing farm in the Pleasant¬ 
ville oil field, the Harmonial well No. 1 was the first 
one struck, being located, as alleged, by spiritualistic 
direction, by A. James. This well commenced produc¬ 
ing in February, 1868, at something over 100 barrels 
per day. Several excellent wells were obtained in the 
immediate neighborhood of the Harmonial. 

J. II. Jack Farm .—In Allegheny township, one 
mile north of Pleasantville. Original owner, Wm. 
Dawson. Present owners, McGrew Bros. & Co. Con- 


474 


PETROLIA. 


tains fifty acres. Purchased in August, 1868. Bound- 
ed on the north by Newkirk, east by Dunham, south 
by Dunham & Morrison, west by Brown and Neills- 
burg, or township road. The Milltown and Pleasant- 
ville road passes through, bearing north. Have eight 
producing w^ells on the farm. Production not ascer¬ 
tained. Average depth of wells, 850 feet. Cost, 
$5,000. Commenced producing in 1867. Eight wells 
in progress. Wells on table lands. Sixteen portable 
and stationary engines. Sandrocks, general average. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 18 to 35 feet. 

Ilebert Tract. —In Pleasantville borough. Original 

owner,-Zuver. Present owners, J. H. & II. B. 

Hebert. Purchased in 1864. Contains sixty acres. 
Bounded on the north by Jack & Fisher Bros., east by 
plank-road, south by Anderson & Carroll, w T est by 
Wm. Porter. Twelve producing wells, all pumping. 
Four non-producing wells. Daily production, 150 bar¬ 
rels. Average depth of wells, 860 feet. Cost, $5,000. 
Commenced producing in August, 1868. Total pro¬ 
duction to January 1 , 1869, 25,000 barrels. Wells 
owned in part by Fisher Bros., Goss & Curll, Benne- 
hoff Run Company, Dalzell Petroleum Company, J. W. 
Jenkins, Kernoclian & Weed. Have eighteen engines 
on the property. Second sandrock is found at 490 feet 
—40 feet thick; third sand, 720 leet— 40 feet thick; 
fourth sandrock, 840 feet— 18 feet thick. Depth of 
driving-pipe, about 50 feet. 

JByles Farm .—In Oil Creek township. Original 
owner, Edwin Byles. Present owners, Vesta Petro¬ 
leum & Refining Company. Purchased in 1864. Con¬ 
tains sixty acres. Bounded on the north by S. Q. 
Brown, Bates, and others, east by public road, divid- 



LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 475 


ing it, and Morrison, south by Turner and Benedict, 
west by Bates Petroleum Company. Is one and a half 
miles southwest from Pleasantville. West branch of 
West Pith ole Creek runs through it, bearing southwest. 
Road from Pleasantville to Plumer on east side. Five 
producing wells on the farm, all pumping; three non¬ 
producing wells. Commenced producing in December, 
1867. Total production to date of January 1 , 1869, 
4,650 barrels. Average depth of wells, 825 feet. Cost, 
$5,000. Wells as follows: W. & I. N. Porter, Fisher 
Bros., Woodford and others, Narrington, and others, 
Samuel Fertig, Bryan, Dillingham & Co., and Gallo¬ 
way. Have eight engines on the property. Second 
sandrock is found at the depth of 420 feet— 40 feet 
thick ; third sand, 700 feet— 40 feet thick ; fourth sand, 
800 feet— 20 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 30 
feet. 

Beebe Farm .—In Oil Creek township. Original 
owner, M. C. Beebe. Present owners, Vesta Petroleum 
and Refining Company. Purchased in 1864. Contains 
sixty acres. Bounded on the north by lands of Hyde 
and others, east by Brown Bros. & Armstrong, south 
by Geo. K. Anderson and New York and Providence 
Petroleum Company, west by John F. Carll. Is located 
about three quarters of a mile southwest of the borough 
of Pleasantville. West Pithole Creek runs through in 
a southerly direction. Road from Pleasantville to 
Shamburg, and Holbrook well. Have four producing 
wells, and one non-producing. Daily product not 
ascertained. Commenced producing in July, 1868. 
Total production to date of January 1 , 1869, 2,250 
barrels. Average depth of wells, 800 feet. Cost, 
$5,000. Wells owned by Kernochan, Weed & Co., J. 
W. Jenkins, A. H. Bronson, and others. Four engines 


476 


PETKOLIA. 


on the property. Depth of second sandrock, 400 feet 
—40 feet thick; third sand, 680 feet—40 feet thick; 
fourth sand, 770 feet—12 feet thick; fifth sand, 800 
feet—30 feet thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 30 feet. 

Mill Farm .—On West Pithole Creek, in Oil Creek 
township. Original owner, E. L. Davis. Present 
owners, J. H. & H. B. Hebert. Contains thirty-four 
acres. Purchased in 1864. Bounded on the north by 
Bates Petroleum Company, east by Vesta Petroleum 
and Refining Company, south by M. Taylor, west by 
Syle farm. Is two miles southwest from Pleasantville. 
West Pithole Creek runs through in a southerly direc¬ 
tion. Road from National wells to Shamburg. Have 
two producing wells, and one old well, non-producing. 
Commenced producing September, 1868. Total pro¬ 
duction to date of January 1 , 1869, 4,150 barrels. 
Average depth of wells, 760 feet. Cost, $5,000. Wells 
owned by Williams, Say & Co, Semkins, Brett & Barr. 
Have two engines, twelve horse-power. Depth of sec¬ 
ond sandrock, 360 feet—35 feet thick; third sand, 620 
feet—40 feet thick; fourth sand, 740 feet—20 feet 
thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 40 feet. 

Ensign Farm .—In Oil Creek township. Original 

owner-Ensign. Present owners, Anderson & Car- 

roll. Contains sixty-eight acres. Purchased in 1868. 
Have seven producing wells. Daily production, 100 
barrels, estimate; and six wells in progress. Total 
production not ascertained. Twelve engines on the 
property. Depth of wells, 800 feet. Sandrocks, gen¬ 
eral average. 


Gerow Farm .—In Allegheny township. Original 
owner,-Gerow. Present owners, Anderson, Car- 




LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 477 


roll & Hawes. Contains fifty acres. Has one produc¬ 
ing well—the Hawes; estimated daily production, 
seventy-five barrels. Have nine wells in progress, 
and ten engines. 

Marcy Farm .—In Oil Creek township, on the di¬ 
viding tp. line. Original owner,-Connelly. Pres¬ 

ent owners, Anderson, Carroll & Bates. Contains 100 
acres. Have just commenced developing. 

Drake Tract .—In Oil Creek township. Present 
owner, G. K. Anderson. Contains twelve acres. One 
producing well, Blue Flag well, estimated as yielding 
twenty barrels per day, on the tract, and two in pro¬ 
gress. Have three engines on the property. 

Armstrong Farm. — In Oil Creek township, near 
borough line of Pleasantville. Original owners, Brown 
Bros. Preseut owner, John Armstrong. Contains 100 
acres, more or less. Thirty-four acres sold to J. Hink- 
ly, of Westfield, N. Y., in 1864. Purchased in 1863. 
Bounded on the north by Brown Bros., east by Pleas¬ 
antville road, south by J. C. Burtis and N. C. Bates, 
west by lands of New York and Providence Petroleum 
Company, Bronson Tract and Yesta Petroleum and 
Refining Company. Is three quarters of a mile south¬ 
west of Pleasantville. West branch of West Pith ole 
Creek runs through lower part of farm. Thirty-five 
wells have been drilled on the farm. Number produc¬ 
ing at date of January 1 , 1869, thirty-one, and twenty- 
nine wells in progress. Commenced producing in 
Spring of 1868. Total production to date, 48,881 bar¬ 
rels. Average depth of wells, 800 feet. Cost, $5,000. 
Sandrocks general average. 

JS. M. Dunham Farm .—In Allegheny township. 



478 


PETROLIA. 


Original owner, E. Dunham. Present owner, S. M. 
Dunham. Purchased by E. Dunham in 1819. Con¬ 
tains seventy-four acres, with allowance, seventy-four 
acres in all. Bounded on the north by Guild & 
Wright, east by E. Dunham, south by Anderson & 
Carroll and E. Dunham, west by lands of Collins Bros., 
J. L. Connelly, S. Harsh, and A. W. Brown. Adjoins 
the borough of Pleasantville. Dunham’s Pun passes 
through the southern portion of the farm. Twenty- 
seven acres w T ere sold off the w T est part of this tract in 
the Summer of 1868 to Meade Lowrey. Three 
wells have been drilled on the property, one of which 
is on the Meade & Lowrey tract. The Magee well 
produced when first struck, as estimated, 150 barrels 
per day. A dozen of wells are reported in progress on 
the farm. Average depth of wells, 800 to 900 feet. 
Sandrocks very coarse and pebbly. Depth and thick¬ 
ness about the general average. Totrd production not 
fully ascertained, estimated at 5,000 to 6,000, to date 
of January 1 , 1869. Commenced producing in Decem¬ 
ber, 1868. The original Dunham farm, from which 
this and the other Dunham tracts are taken, contained 
250 acres. Two wells are in progress on the E. Dun¬ 
ham tract. No development as yet on the E. C. Dun¬ 
ham tract nor the S. M. Dunham, adjoining. 

National Petroleum Company's Tract .—On West 
Pithole Creek, in Oil Creek township. Present owners, 
National Petroleum Company, of New York. Contains 
fifty acres. Have six producing wells, all pumping. 
The old Pitcher well commenced producing February 
8, 1866, at the rate of about eighty barrels per day. Is 
still pumping at this date, January 1 , 1869, twenty to 
thirty barrels per day. Daily production, 100 barrels. 
Total production not ascertained. Average depth of 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 479 

wells, 780 to 800 feet. Depth of first sandrock, 310 
to 330 feet—20 feet thick; second sand, 521 to 545 
feet—24 feet thick ; third sand, 636 to 660 feet; fourth 
sand, 739 to 759 feet—15 feet of dark pebble rock. 
Depth of wells varies according to elevation. The ab¬ 
sence of the superintendent prevented the obtaining of 
full information. 

Lyle Farm .—Adoining the lands of the National 
Petroleum Company on the south. Contains 113 acres. 
Former owner, Captain Lyle. Present owner, Samuel 
Mitchell, of New York City. Four producing wells on 
the farm, and five in progress. Present daily produc¬ 
tion, 100 barrels. Commenced producing in Septem¬ 
ber, 1868. Sandrocks, depth of wells, Ac., about the 
same as on National Petroleum Company’s tract. 

The foregoing embraces the majority of the prin¬ 
cipal producing farms of Pleasantville and vicinity, and 
are as full in detail as our time and opportunities could 
make them. A large number of the owners of tracts 
and farms we visited were absent, and we could find 
no one on the ground to furnish the desired informa¬ 
tion. And, as before stated, we could not spare the 
time to communicate with the numerous absentees, 
scattered as they were throughout the length and 
breadth of the land, and await their answers. We have 
given ample to serve as landmarks. We have found 
no other locality where so many small parcels of main 
tracts were purchased by operators and speculators. 
This latter class being numerous, and as a general 
thing non-resident, the reader can judge the difficulty 
in obtaining accurate details. 


480 


PETEOLIA. 


VALLEY OF OIL CREEK. 

Though it has undergone many changes within the 
last few years, and its chief glories, the huge flowing 
wells, that spouted forth from 1,000 to 4,000 barrels of 
oil each per day, vanished into the realms of the shad¬ 
owy past, Oil Creek and its tributaries is still pre¬ 
eminent as an oil producing locality, and stands peer¬ 
less among its numerous rivals. Rich in its resources 
of mineral wealth, and with an historic fame that no 
future can dim, we gladly hail it as the chief source 
of the Petroleum supply of the present day. The main 
supply of Petroleum has been obtained from the local¬ 
ity above named, and, in the aggregate, a larger amount 
of wealth has been realized from the farms bordering 
on Oil Creek and its tributaries, by at least one half, 
than all the other producing localities combined. 
Though at present a number of the farms bear a 
dismantled, deserted appearance, its territory has re¬ 
tained its old reputation for excellence. No other lo¬ 
cality can present more substantial successes, or cases 
where the investment has been more often realized with 
princely profits. The local causes that have operated 
to render so many of these farms comparatively non¬ 
producing at the present day, can be overcome by 
steady application and skill, when the scarcity of sup¬ 
ply and remunerative prices warrant the outlay neces. 
sary for their successful recuperation. 

Nearly the entire flat portion of the lands on the 
Creek and tributaries have been literally drowned out 
with the water that, in its normal state, was located 
from 300 to 500 feet above the oil measures. The 
drilling of so large a number of wells in a limited space 
was, in a great measure, the cause of the flooding of the 
territory, the usual custom in former years being, 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 481 

when the well proved unproductive, to pull up the tub¬ 
ing and seed-bag, and allow the water to flow into the 
oil measures below. Hundreds of wells being thus left, 
will account greatly for the general ruin that resulted 
in so many localities. The exodus of operators from 
the old producing localities to the new, as the latter 
have been successively opened up, has likewise been a 
prolific source of evil. The landowners, as a class, have 
regarded the desertion of their lands not as a loss, but 
as a gain. The leases are made for a term of years, 
and generally, by the terms of the lease, if the well is 
allowed to remain idle for any considerable length of 
time, such cause works a forfeiture of the lease. The 
landowner having generally received a handsome profit 
on his investment from the royalty, can usually turn 
the deserted leases to good account, by plugging up 
or closing such number as he may see fit, and success¬ 
fully work the remainder, having his land unincum¬ 
bered by leases. The Story farm now has only ten 
lessees, the remainder of the wells having been for¬ 
feited by their former owners. 

On several of the farms, within the last three years, 
the bluffs have been partially developed, with excellent 
success. The most noted localities are Blood and Bu¬ 
chanan farms. The hill farms, the Stevenson, Wood 
& Benninghoff farms, at Petroleum Centre, were among 
the first developments on elevated lands. The hills 
and bluffs are now generally preferred by operators. 
This latter class of territory is sufficiently ample for 
the development of the present century at least. 

The present daily production of the locality under 
consideration is over double that of any other produc¬ 
ing locality in the Oil Region. The low prices of the 
previous three years have prevented the working to ad¬ 
vantage of scores of small pumping wells. A steady 
2] 


482 


PETROLIA. 


price of four to five dollars per barrel at the wells, 
would render the working of even a well producing 
three barrels per diem profitable. Preparations have 
been and are now making to commence pumping a 
large number of this class of wells during the coming 
season. This, together with the aid of a number of 
new wells in same localities, will materially increase 
the daily production of the famed valley. 

We have previously given the main history of these 
farms. Of the entire Petroleum product, from the 
commencement to the present date, the farms bordering 
on Oil Creek and its tributaries have supplied, we esti¬ 
mate, three fourths of the amount. During some sea¬ 
sons, in the first year of its development, the locality 
we speak of has yielded a daily production estimated 
at from 12,000 to 15,000 barrels. The waste that has 
occurred in all the years of production, all over the Oil 
Region, has in no place presented an aggregate equal 
to that of Oil Creek. The seventh of the entire pro¬ 
duction for the successive years, we consider a mod¬ 
erate estimate for the loss. 

We still regard the future of Oil Creek valley as 
promising to maintain an average production of several 
thousand barrels per day. The operations on many of 
the farms since 1867 has been limited, and the produc¬ 
tion merely nominal. On others, the production has 
been kept up to a full average. We shall essay to give, 
in brief, the operations had upon the principal farms. 

riONEER RUN. 

The production in the neighborhood of Pioneer 
Run was quite large in the Summer and Fall of 1866, 
culminating during the Winter of 1866 and 1867, and 
the Spring of same year. The low prices ruling during 
1867 rendered the working of the smaller wells un- 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 483 

profitable. The developments of the new field at Tid- 
eoute and Shamburg took away a large number of the 
operators. By the Fall of 1867, operations had become 
limited in this neighborhood, and at present the nu¬ 
merous derricks are deserted, and silence reigns where 
a few years since all was activity and bustle. The 
average daily product during its best season, of the dis¬ 
trict known as Pioneer Run, was estimated at about 
2,500 barrels. The wells averaged all the way from 25 
to 200 barrels per day in production. We have no means 
of definitely ascertaining the total production, which is 
variously estimated at 150,000 to 175,000 barrels. Ar¬ 
rangements are making for the operating of a number 
of the old wells during this spring. The number of 
wells we are unable to ascertain fully. The sandrocks, 
&c., of the locality are spoken of elsewhere. 

Tipper and Lower MLlhenny Farms .—The upper 
MTlhenny farm embraces a considerable portion of 
Pioneer Run, at its mouth. The extent of operations 
for the last year has been extremely limited, and the 
production slight. Several good wells were in opera¬ 
tion on the upper MTlhenny during 1867. The lower 
MTlhenny farm adjoins the Boyd farm, and fronts Oil 
Creek for its entire length. Both farms contain some 
180 acres. Total production of both farms, from De¬ 
cember 31, 1864, to December 31, 1869, 349,785 barrels. 
Total number of wells drilled to same date, 175. Total 
number of wells drilled from the first development to 
date of December 31, 1866, 139. Of these, sixty-three 
were known to have produced more or less oil, ten 
were worthless, thirteen never completed, and fifty- 
three so old that the superintendent making the report, 
could give no account of them. Very little doing on 
these farms at present, and production merely nominal. 


4S4 


PETKOLIA. 


The bluff portion of the farm, which is well located for 
oil development, has not as yet been operated on to 
any material extent. 

John Fenninghoff Farm .—This farm lies on the 
opposite side of Oil Creek from the MTlhenny, front- 
in sr on the Creek and running back to a considerable 

o o 

distance. This farm produced largely during portions 
of 1867 and early part of 1868. Total production for 
1867 and 1868 estimated 150,000 barrels. Com¬ 
menced to fall off in production in Spring of 1868. 
Has not been doing much for a year j^ast. Has lately 
commenced producing again, several of the old wells 
having been cleaned out and pumped, with good suc¬ 
cess. One old well lately started up is yielding eighty- 
one barrels per day. Present daily production of the 
farm, about 300 barrels. 

The Benninghoff Run tract, which adjoins this farm, 
and the Warner farm, both famed producing localities 
in 1866 are doing nothing now, having been deserted 
by the majority of its operators since 1867. The pro¬ 
duction on each of the tracts exceeded at one time in 
1866, 1,000 barrels per day. Total production of these 
localities not ascertained. 

The Patterson farm, on Bull Run, yielded largely in 
1866, as also did the Farrel and Skinner farms, in same 
locality. All these farms began to fail in production 
during 1867. The production for 1868 of the entire 
locality embraced by these farms was light. Consid¬ 
erable development is contemplated on Bull Run and 
vicinity during the present season. The entire produc¬ 
tion of the locality, we should estimate at 100,000 
barrels. 

Stevenson Farm .—This farm which is located on 
the hill back of and adjoining Petroleum Centre was a 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 485 

famous producing locality in 1866 and part of 1867. 
Nothing of consequence is doing on the farm at present, 
most of the wells having been rendered unproductive 
by being flooded with water from each other. This is 
a hill farm, located at an altitude of from 300 to 400 
feet above the level of Oil Creek. Estimated total of 
entire production, about 200,000 barrels. 

Woods Farm .—This farm is located on the hill just 
back of Petroleum Centre, about one mile from Oil 
Creek, at an altitude of about 500 feet above the level 
of Oil Creek. Was purchased in 1865 by Thomas 
Woods, of Pittsburgh, from John Sherman, and con¬ 
tains seventy acres. Bounded on the north by Steven¬ 
son farm, east by lands of Central Petroleum Company, 
south and west by lands of Bartlett and Canusett Oil 
Company. Have forty-six producing wells on the 
farm, at date of January 1, 1869. Average of these 
from ten to fifty barrels each. Twenty-tour non-pro¬ 
ducing wells. All but four of these have been produc¬ 
tive. Had one flowing well on the farm. Struck July 
5, 1867, and commenced with a daily production of 150 
barrels, and contined to yield for over one year. Is still 
being pumped. Commenced producing in 1866. Total 
production of farm to date of January 1, 1869, 525,000 
barrels, as estimated. Average depth of wells, 875 to 
900 feet. Cost of wells, about $4,000. Wells located 
on the hill plain. Owned by Woods and lessees. Have 
sixty-two stationary and portable engines on the prop¬ 
erty. Average depth of sandrocks as follows: first 
sandrock, 570 feet—40 feet thick; second sand, 720 
f ee t—2 to 20 feet thick, irregular and shelly ; third 
sand, 850 feet—40 to 50 feet thick. Present daily pro¬ 
duction, January 1, 1869, from 350 to 400 barrels. 
Depth of driving-pipe, 18 to 25 feet. 


486 


PETEOLIA. 


The farm is well located for oil purposes, and has 
been among the best producing farms on Oil Creek. 
Though what is called well developed, so far as the 
number of its wells are concerned, there are quite a num¬ 
ber of acres on the back part of the farm that have not 
as yet been developed. The water used by the engines 
is pumped from Oil Creek, and conveyed to the wells 
by iron pipes. The oil is conveyed to the receiving 
tanks on the railroad by same means. 

The Canusett Oil Company’s lands, consisting of 
about thirty acres, adjoin the Woods farm on the 
west. A number of wells have been drilled on this 
tract, but the success so far has been any thing but 
flattering. The production we were unable to ascer¬ 
tain, but is very small. This tract is about on a level 
with the Woods farm, if any thing portions of it are 
somewhat higher. The whole surface of the hill is 
extremely rough and stony, and a few years since was 
covered with a heavy growth of timber. 

John Pearson Farm .—Located in Cornplanter 
township, one mile from Petroleum Centre, and one 
and a half miles from Cherry Tree. Original owner, 
John Pearson. Present owners, Western Pennsylvania 
Oil Company. Purchased in 1865. Contains eighty- 
three acres. Bounded on the north by lands of Clare¬ 
mont Oil Company, and east by Woods and Canusett 
Oil Company. Cherry Tree Run passes through a por¬ 
tion of the farm, bearing south. Roads to Petroleum 
Centre east, to Story farm south, Cherry Tree north. 
Have fifteen producing wells on the farm, and one non¬ 
producing. Commenced 'producing about September 
1 , 1868. Total production to date of February 1 , 
1869, 37,391 barrels. Shipped to same date, 33,381 
barrels. Average depth of wells, 940 feet on the hill, 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 487 

and 780 feet in the valley. Average cost of wells, 
$4,500 to $5,000. Wells located on the flat and on 
hill. Owned in part as follows: Bronson & Harring¬ 
ton, five wells; Vera & Blake, one; Joseph Overy, 
one; Blood & Pennington, Panton & Newton, J. 

Adams, Thomas Frothingham, R. W. Evans, - 

Klinordlinger. Daily production in January 1869, 269 
barrels. Average depth of sandrocks: first sand on 
the hill, 625 feet; in the valley, 470 feet; third sand 
on the hill, 890 feet; in the valley, 780 feet. Average 
thickness of third sandrock, 40 to 50 feet. Depth of 
driving-pipe, from 5 to 20 feet. Twenty engines on 
property. The wells averaged daily as follows for Jan¬ 
uary, 1869: Lease No. 1, Bronson & Harrington, 
struck January 8, 1869, 214 barrels; lease No. 2, De¬ 
cember 3, 1868, Bronson & Harrington, 30J barrels; 
lease No. 3, Vera & Blake, September 17, 1868, 77 
barrels; lease No. 4, Joseph Overy, December 14, 
1868, 53 barrels; lease No. 5, same, October, 1868, 3-J- 
barrels; lease No. 9, Ward & Wait, November 1, 

1868, 6 barrels; lease No. 14, Blood t% Pennington, 3j 
barrels ; lease No. 15, Bronson & Harrington, 4 barrels ; 
lease No. 17, Panton & Newton, 3J barrels; lease No. 
29, J. Adams, 6J barrels ; lease No. 44, Bronson & 
Harrington, 25 J barrels ; lease No. 45, Thos. Frothing¬ 
ham, November8, 1868, 28J barrels ; lease No. 46, R. 
W. Evans, 4 barrels ; lease No. 34, Klinordlinger, 3^ bar¬ 
rels. The average of lease No. 35 not given in super¬ 
intendent’s report. The daily average for January, 

1869, 269 barrels. This farm gives promise of a large 
production, and is well located. Developments are in 
progress on a number of the adjoining farms, a majority 
of which have been previously described, the course of 
operations being, as a general thing, in the direction 
of Cherry Tree Run. A number of small wells have 



488 


FETEOLIA. 


been in operation at various points between tlie 
Pearson farm and the mouth of Cherry Tree Run, 
where it empties into Oil Creek at the Rynd farm. 
The general average of these is from one to five bar¬ 
rels per day each. Many operators are of opinion that 
the so-called “oil-belt,” extends from the Woods hill 
along the hills back of Oil Creek, to Charley and Shaffer 
Runs, at Oil City. With this view, about all the farms 
located along and back of the range of hills along Oil 
Creek, have been purchased, and are now being held by 
operators awaiting events. Some development has taken 
place on the Lichtenthaler farm, adjoining the Story 5 
which is supposed to be in the “ belt,” with only toler¬ 
able success. The largest well yet obtained is reported 
at twenty-five barrels per day. A series of develop¬ 
ments, at various points between Pearson farm and 
Charley Run, has been commenced, which by the be¬ 
ginning of summer will fully test the territory. 

Hyde and Egbert Farm .—Operations have ceased 
on this farm, in fact there have been none of consequence 
for two years past. All the wells have been affected to 
such a degree by water as to be worthless, except at 
considerable expenditure. The desire of the landown¬ 
ers to regain full possession may have considerable to 
do with the present state of inactivity. In times past 
this farm has been among the most noted for a large 
production, and we can see no valid reason why it may 
not prove measurably so again. 

Nothing of consequence is being done on the 
Macrae farm, adjoining the Hyde & Egbert. The Dal- 
zell & Hays farm, just below and adjoining the Hyde 
& Egbert are practically deserted. 

For the operations of the Story farm, or more 
properly the Columbia Oil Company, of Pittsburgh, to 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 489 


whom it belongs, we refer our readers to the ad¬ 
mirable report of the company for 1868, which will be 
found in the chapter on Statistics and Results. 

Tarr Farm .—From date of our report in 1866 to 
January 1 , 1869, the production of this farm has varied 
all the way from 150 to 1,200 barrels per day. The 
flat and a portion of the bluff has become flooded, and 
the production of the present is from 150 to 200 barrels 
per day. When means are devised to rid the numerous 
wells of the surplus water, the farm will again take rank 
among the first-class producing ones. For aggregate 
production, see Herald report, in Chapter on Statistics 
and Results. The Phillips and Woodford wells, noted 
in the history of Petroleum, are located on this farm. 
The Phillips was struck in October, 1861, and commenced 
flowing at the rate of over 4,000 barrels per day. A 
stop-cock was applied shortly afterward, litigation hav¬ 
ing ensued between the working and landed interests, 
regarding a clause in the lease compelling the lessees to 
furnish the royalty, or land-owner’s share, in barrels. 
Oil at this time was worth twenty cents per barrel, and 
barrels from $3.50 to $4.00 each. In December, over 
two months after it was struck, the Phillips well flowed 
by actual measurement, in twenty-four hours, three 
thousand nine hundred and forty barrels of oil. The 
total production of this well to date of Jan. 1 , 1869, is 
estimated at 500,000 barrels, and the Woodford at 
100,000. These two wells, it will be remembered, 
flooded each other at intervals for several years. The 
total production of the Noble well, as estimated, we have 
given at 1,000,000 barrels. The Noble, when first 
struck, was thought by competent judges to be about 
as large in point of production as the Phillips. It was 
not interfered with by other wells, and flowed without 
21 * 


490 


PETJROLIA. 


interruption from January, 1863, to Feb. 28, 1865. From 
this we are inclined to the belief that its production was 
fully one third, and may have been one half, greater than 
the Phillips. 

Blood Farm .—For two years previous to Decenr 
her 24, 1867, the date of the striking of the first well 
on the bluff, operations on the farm had been merely 
nominal. The flat portion adjoining the Tarr farm, 
in 1861 and 1862 boasted of thirteen flowing wells, 
and a daily production almost equalling that of the 
entire Oil Creek valley, of the present date. One by 
one the wells became unproductive from being flooded 
by water and by other causes, and were deserted. The 
company owning the farm, or at least the one owning 
the present producing portion, with an energy highly 
creditable, concluded to test the bluff portion of the 
farm. Operations were commenced in the Fall of 
1867, and as before stated, the first well was struck 
December 24, 1867. All the wells are on the hill or 
bluff, which is elevated from 300 to 400 feet above the 
level of Oil Creek. Total number of producing w T ells 
at date of January 1 , 1869, twenty-nine. Non-produc¬ 
ing wells, two. Total production from December 24, 
1867 to January 1 , 1869, 90,422 barrels. Daily pro¬ 
duction at date of January 1 , 1869, 540 barrels. High¬ 
est daily average previous, 620 barrels. Average depth 
of wells, 800 feet. Number of wells in progress, 
seventeen. Number of engines on the farm, forty- 
eight. Average depth of sandrocks: top of first 
sand, 563 feet—thickness, 35 feet; top of second sand, 

615 feet—24 feet thick; top of grey rock, 716 feet— 
15 feet thick; top of third sand, 762 feet—38 feet 

thick. With a large extent of territory yet to develop, 
the owners of this property can reasonably hope for 
abundant prosperity for years to come. 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 491 

The Ryncl farm, next below, has never been classed 
among the large producing farms of Oil Creek, though 
the development has been large. Development since 
1866, considerable. Particulars not definitely ascer¬ 
tained. 

Widow M‘Clintock (or J. W. Steele), farm, next 
farm below the Rynd, has been comparatively idle since 
latter part of I860, until past season. The farm is 
now held by trustees of creditors of former owner. 
Several of the old wells have been cleaned out and 
started up again, and a few new wells drilled. The 
average production of the farm during 1868 has been 
from forty to seventy-five barrels. Gives promise of 
yet proving a good producing farm. 

John 3J Clintock Farm .—Located on same side of 
Creek, and adjoining Rynd farm. Formerly had many 
good wells, the Excelsior, struck in 1863, flowed several 
hundred barrels per day. The development has been 
extensive. Total production to date not fully ascer¬ 
tained. Commenced to develop largely several years 
ago upon the portion of the farm bordering on Cherry 
Run, and were highly successful. Wells became 
watered during 1867 and 1868. Production previous 
to this, from 150 to 200 barrels per day. Have com¬ 
menced to develop on hill part of farm, with good pros¬ 
pects. 

A. <£' J. Buchanan Farms .—Within last two years 
active operations have been transferred from the flats to 
the hill-portions of these farms, the entire flats having 
become so watered as to be nominally worthless for 
production. Production on the hills commenced in 
1867. For 1867 and 1868, the daily production has 
averaged from 400 to 500 barrels. Total number of 


492 


PETEOLIA. 


wells on both farms, new development, to date of Jan¬ 
uary 1 , 1869, sixty-five, and quite a number in progress. 
The total production from first commencement we have 
been unable to fully ascertain. (See Herald Report.) 

II. 31 Clint tick Farm .—Operations on this farm 
since 1866 have been very limited. In commencement 
of 1868, a number of the old wells were cleaned out, 
and have since yielded a considerable amount by pump¬ 
ing. The Hebbard well, Ho. 1, struck several years 
since, and which has yielded largely, is now pumping 
twenty to thirty barrels per day. The MTvinley and 
others of the old wells are producing from three to five 
barrels each per day. A number of wells have been 
drilled during last year on the upper or hill part of the 
farm, known as Hamilton Run, adjoining the line of the 
A. Buchanan farm, with excellent success. Present 
daily production of farm, 80 to 100 barrels. The pros¬ 
pect is good for a large and successful development on 
the farm during the coming season. 

Cornplanter Tract .—But little has been done for 
three years past on this tract. It is a narrow strip lying 
between the M c Clintock and Clapp farms, and has been 
excellent producing territory. The desire of the com¬ 
pany to whom it belongs to secure the leases granted 
in former years, has effectually checked active opera¬ 
tions. One or two of the wells on the Creek bluff are 
being pumped. Production merely nominal. 

Clapp Farm .—This farm adjoins the Graff, Hasson, 
or Petroleum Farms Association, on which a portion 
of Oil City, including Cottage Hill, is built. Very lit¬ 
tle doing on the farm at present. The owners have 
secured a majority of the old leases and plugged up the 


LOCATION AND DESCEIPTION OF FAKMS. 493 

wells with water lime, cement, gravel, and sand. The 
Williams and Stanton wells, on the Creek bluff, were 
good, yielding a large production. But little change 
since report of 1866, which will be found in former 
description of the farm. 

OIL CITY AND VICINITY. 

Hickman Farm , Shaffer Fun .—On Shaffer Run, in 
Cornplanter and Sugar Creek townships. Original 
owner, Simeon Hickman, by settlement. Present own¬ 
ers, Hasson, Cornwall & Co., of Oil City. Contains 
200 acres. Purchased in 1867. Bounded on the north 
by M‘Fate, east by Fee, south and west by lands of 
Reno Land and Oil Company. Is one and a half miles 
nearly west of Oil City, and about the same distance 
from Reno. Shaffer Run passes through the farm 
bearing southwest. Ho roads. Reno railroad passes 
through property. Humber of producing wells, five. 
Daily production, 100 barrels. Non-producing wells, 
two. The Hasson well, struck in November, 1867, 
commenced to flow about 300 barrels per day. Is still 
producing. Total production not ascertained. Aver_ 
age depth of wells, 780 to 820 feet. Cost, $5,000. 
Depth of first sandrock, 468 feet—48 feet thick ; second 
sand, 622 feet—25 feet thick; third sand, 760 feet—20 
feet thick. The above record was of the shallowest 
well, 780 feet in depth. The depth of the wells varies 
according to altitude. Wells located on Run and bluffs 
of the same. The flat along the Run is very narrow. 
The farm consists chiefly of hill land. Promises to be 
an excellent producing farm. The wells are owned by 
lessees and the landowners. Convey the oil from wells 
to large iron tanks at mouth of Charley Run, on the 
line of the Atlantic and Great Western Railway by 


494 


PETROLIA. 


an oil pipe running over the hill, a distance of nearly a 
mile. No extensive development prevailing at present. 

Lackawanna Oil Company's Tract .—On Shaffer 
Run. Adjoins the Hickman farm. Original owner, 
not ascertained. Present owners, Lackawanna Oil Com¬ 
pany. Purchased in 1864. Have two producing wells, 
located a few rods from the Hasson well. The first 

of these was struck in-- 186 . Largest average 

production, 150 barrels per day. Both wells are still 

producing. Present daily production - barrels. 

Depth of wells and sandrocks similar to those on Hick¬ 
man farm. This tract extends across the valley of the 
Run. 

Oil City Land Company's Farm, formerly Nevins, 
or Michigan Rock Oil Company.—On upper part of 
Charley Run. Have eight producing wells. Present 
daily product, 250 barrels. No non-producing wells. 
Twenty-five wells in progress. Average depth of wells, 
15 0 to 800 feet. Estimate of total production to date, 
25,000 barrels. Commenced producing July, 1868. 
The Blakeley, or Gas well, was the first of any size 
struck. The gas was forced out with such violence as 
to be heard for a considerable distance, after it had 
been tested for a time. A majority of the wells struck 
at first flowed. The largest well commenced at 100 to 
150 barrels. The show of gas in this locality equals 
any portion of the Oil Region in former years. Opera¬ 
tions are active on the farm. A wagon-road from Oil 
City to the wells, up Haliday Run, has been constructed 
recently. The farm consists chiefly of hill lands. The 
hill tops are gently rolling, giving ample room for op¬ 
erating. From fifteen to twenty engines on the prop¬ 
erty. Average depth of first sandrock, 460 feet, ir- 




LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 495 

regular— 15 to 20 feet thick; second sand, 610 feet— 
15 to 20 feet thick; third sand, 730 feet— 25 to 30 feet 
thick. .The altitude above level of Allegheny River, 
about 300 feet. A number of old wells on Haliday 
Run are on this property, and will be found in our 
former description. 

The Moran farm adjoins this property on Charley 
Run. Have just commenced to drill a number of wells 
on the same. This farm extends along the Run to its 
mouth at the Allegheny River. 

The Cornen farm on the hill adjoining the lands 
of Oil City Land Company, lies between Charley and 
Haliday Run, or rather the headAvaters of these streams. 
A few leases have been let, anda number of wells will 
be commenced as soon as the season opens. 

On the Foster farm, on headwaters of Haliday Run, 
a few wells have been drilled with indifferent success 
so far. The farm will be thoroughly tested during the 
coming season. 

A few small producing wells are found at the head 
of and along Haliday Run, the largest scarcely exceed¬ 
ing five barrels per day. 

Two new wells have been drilled during the last 
year on the lands of the Latonia Town and Oil Com¬ 
pany, in Venango City, at the edge of the hill at the 
rear of the town, and one near the old Clarion road, 
back of Imperial City. In the latter a large amount of 
gas was obtained, with very little oil, and in the two 
former not enough of any thing to justify operations. 
Sage Run, which empties into the Allegheny just above 
the borough line of Imperial, now included in Venango 
City, was tested slightly several years since near its 
mouth, and only a few small wells obtained. Pre¬ 
parations are making for development on an exten¬ 
sive scale in the spring. Several oil stock companies 


406 


PETROLIA. 


own large tracts of land on different portions of the 
Ran. 

Upon the Lee, Moran, Farran, Hayes, and Huff 
farms, occupying the river front from Venango City to 
a point opposite Reno, but slight operations have been 
had since 1866. During that time a number of wells 
were drilled on the Lee and Farran farms, a number 
of which were productive. Very little doing now, ex¬ 
cept pumping a number of the wells by “ heads,” that 
is one or more times during the twenty-four hours, for 
an hour or more. The wells yield from one to live bar¬ 
rels each. Upon the Huff farm was obtained in for¬ 
mer years an excellent quality of lubricating oil of 
about 35° gravity, which sold at the wells for twenty- 
live dollars per barrel. 

On the Siverly and Alcorn farms, on the Allegheny, 
above Oil City, a number of wells have been drilled dur¬ 
ing last two years with some success, several of the wells 
commencing with a daily production of fifty to seventy- 
live barrels. A few small wells are being operated at 
present. Upon the Reno property a number of wells 
are being pumped, and arrangements are making for 
the drilling of some new wells when the season opens. 
All the above-mentioned farms are considered good for 
oil production. In the coming season the development 
on these will be considerable. The total of wells 
drilled in and around Oil City, upon the various farms 
named as being in the vicinity, since 1866, will not ex¬ 
ceed one hundred in number. 

ALLEGHENY RIVER FARMS. 

Upon none of the farms bordering on the Alle 
glieny River above Franklin, except at Oil City, have 
three been any material operations since the years 1865 
and 1866. Only here and there are any of the numer- 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 497 

ous wells drilled in former years being operated. On 
several of the farms below Franklin, between that point 
and Scrubgrass, at Emlenton and Parker’s Landing, ac¬ 
tive operations have prevailed for several years. A 
number of new wells have been drilled during the last 
year on the Hoover and Cochran farms, and many of 
the old wells are still producing. The present produc¬ 
tion of the Cochran farm is estimated at forty barrels 
per day, and that of the Hoover at ninety barrels. From 
the Cochran and Hoover to the Foster farm, six miles 
below Franklin, nothing of consequence is being done 
at present. A legion of oil companies are interested in 
the fee of these intervening farms, both of those border¬ 
ing upon and lying back of the river for some distance, 
on each side, all the way to Parker’s Landing, forty- 
live miles below Franklin, and even beyond, as well as 
on the numerous tributary streams emptying into the 
Allegheny. As before mentioned, at several of these 
farms operations have been active, especially so for the 
year 1808. The increase of development along the en¬ 
tire lower Allegheny, during 1869, promises to be large. 
In fact, the tendency of general development is from 
Pleasantville to the Allegheny Hiver, at Tideoute, at 
the northeastern portion of the Oil Region, and from 
Oil City to Parker’s Landing, the present limit, fifty 
miles below, at the southwestern limit. Every locality 
for the latter entire distance, that has been thoroughly 
tested within the last year, has been found of un¬ 
doubted excellence for oil production. The sandrocks 
present great uniformity, the wells are of fair size, and 
are above the general average, even on Oil Creek, in 
longevity. The depth of wells on the flats and bluffs 
is about the same average as in the Oil Region gen¬ 
erally. These favorable features are exceedingly at¬ 
tractive to oil operators, as is also the large extent of 


498 


PETROLIA. 


the territory affording such signs of abundant produc¬ 
tion. We give below the prinicipal producing points : 

SCRUBGRASS. 

The farms adjoining and opposite the mouth of 
Scrubgrass creek, where it empties into the Allegheny, 
have been profitably operated for several years. This 
point is generally known as Scrubgrass, although the 
post-office title is Witherup. It is eighteen miles below 
Franklin, eight miles from Fosters. The Allegheny 
Valley Railroad passes through these farms, on the east 
side of the river. The scope of territory here is ample, 
and so far as tested, of undoubted excellence. The 
principal production commenced here in 1865. The 
farms bordering on the river between Foster’s and 
Scrubgrass, are regarded as good oil territory, and pre¬ 
parations are being made to fully test them. Witherup 
—or Scrubgrass, as it is generally called—is a thriving 
little village. Several stores and shops appear to be 
doing a thriving business. There are two hotels, one 
of which, the Gregory House, is new, and is a first class 
establishment. A ferry crosses the river here, connect¬ 
ing with the road leading to Kennerdell’s Mills. We 
give the following description of the principal produc¬ 
ing farms: 


Farm .—On Allegheny river, east side, 
Rocklarid township. Original owner, Daniel M‘Millin. 
Present owners, M‘Millin Farm Oil Company, of Phila¬ 
delphia. Contains 190 acres. Has two miles of river 
front. Purchased in 1864. Commenced producing in 
1865, and ever since. Total number of wells, thirty-three. 
All but three of these have produced oil. One well, 
No. 10, produced, when struck, over 300 barrels per day, 
by flowing. Daily production from commencement has 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 499 

averaged from 60 to 300 barrels. Average depth of 
wells on river, 600 feet; on the hill, 700 to 750 feet. 
Cost, $4,000. Depth of first sandrock on the river, 330 
feet, and 400 feet on the hill—white, and 90 feet thick. 
2d sandrock, 440 feet on the river, and 500 feet on the 
hill—30 feet thick. 3d sand, 585 to 590 feet on the 
river, and 710 to 720 feet on the hill—18 to 20 feet 
thick. Depth of driving-pipe, 8 feet on the river, and 
40 feet on the hill. Wells located on flat and hill. 
-Owned by lessees. This farm is bounded by the Alle¬ 
gheny river and the property of the Philadelphia and 
Boston Petroleum Company. Have 16 engines on the 
property. Bearing of Allegheny river, all points of the 
compass as it passes through farm. Some of the prin¬ 
cipal wells are owned as follows: Nos. 10, 3, and 7 by 
Rittock & Squiers; No. 4, A. M. Hoover; No. 99, P. 
T. Ridgway. The village of Scrubgrass, or Witherup, 
is located on this farm. The flat here is of moderate 
extent, hills high and abrupt to river in most places. 
A. Y. R. R. station is located on this farm. Some de¬ 
velopment is being made at Kennerdell’s Mills, on Scrub- 
grass creek, two miles west of south direction, and on 
opposite side of River from M‘Millin Farm. 

Belle Island .—In Allegheny river, just below Scrub- 
grass station, on A. Y. R. R., and opposite M‘Millin 
Farm. Patented by Dr. McCoy. Present owners, 
Belle Island Petroleum Company. Contains about eight 
acres, bounded by river. Is four and a half miles in a 
direct line from Foster’s, and nine miles by river. 
Twenty-three miles by river from Reno, and eighteen 
from Emlenton. Commenced producing in 1867. Non¬ 
producing wells, 4; producing, 3. All the wells have 
produced oil by pumping and flowing. Average depth 
of wells, 598 to 612 feet. Average cost, $3,000. Daily 


500 


PETROLIA. 


production not ascertained. Total production to date 
of January 1, 1869, 26,788 barrels. Sandrocks similar 
to M‘Millin Farm on river. Wells owned principally by 
company and C. D. Angell. This has been highly pro¬ 
ductive territory, paying from ten to forty per cent, a 
month on the first investment. 

Philadelphia and Boston Petroleum Company's 
Bands. —On east side of Allegheny river, in Rockland 
Township. Formerly known as Tract No. 4, of the* 
Bingham Land Estate. Present owners, Philadelphia 
and Boston Petroleum Company. Contains 262 acres. 
Purchased in 1864. Total number of wells, 6, all pro¬ 
ducing in July, 1868, and on to date. Bounded by 
M‘Millin Farm and river. Average depth of wells 900 
feet. Cost, $5,000. All the wells located on the hill 
at an elevation of about 400 feet above the river. 
Daily production not ascertained. Depth of first sand- 
rock, 575 feet—70 feet thick; second sandrock, 720 feet 
—40 to 50 feet thick; third sandrock, 875 feet—20 
feet thick—a coarse white pebble. Producing wells 
owned as follows: Nos. 12 and 13, Bartlett, Wilson 
Co.; Nos. 10 and 11, Thomas McDonough Oil Co.; 
No. 15, Bartlett & Co.; No. 14, Bartlett Oil Co. Main 
portion of the farm lies on top of the hill, is level, and 
favorable to operate upon. So far as developed, this 
territory has proved highly productive. Depth of 
driving-pipe varies from 12 to 100 feet. Sandrocks 
also vary according to elevation. Total production 
about 13,000 barrels. 

Tract No. 1 , Bingham Land Estate, at Foster’s, on 
Allegheny river, is also owned by this company. Orig¬ 
inal owner, Bingham Land Estate. Located on east 
side of river, in Rockland township. Contains 75 acres. 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 501 

Purchased in 1864. Bounded on north by river, east 
by Coal City property, west by P. McCalmont, and 
south by Geo. Snider. Total of wells, 12, all produc¬ 
ing. Daily production, 60 barrels. Aggregate of pro¬ 
duction to date of January 1, 1869, 50,000 barrels. 
Average depth of wells, 600 feet. Cost, $3,000. Depth 
of first sandrock, 300 feet—20 feet thick ; second sand- 
rock, 440 feet—25 feet thick ; third sandrock, 595 feet 
—16 feet thick. Dig to the rock for driving-pipe. No 
flat. A. Y. Railroad passes along river front of prop¬ 
erty. Commenced producing in 1865. Is but slightly 
developed, and promises well for a large future produc¬ 
tion. 

Foster Farm .—On north bank of Allegheny River, 
in Sandy Creek township. Original owner,-Fos¬ 

ter Present owners, Foster Farm Oil Company, of 
Philadelphia. Purchased in 1864. Contains 230 acres. 
Bounded on the east by lands of Miller Farm Oil Com¬ 
pany, north by J. Foster and others, west by lands of 
Excelsior Oil Company. Six miles south of Franklin. 
Allegheny River bears west. No regular roads. 
Have twelve producing wells on the farm. The Rogers 
well, lease No. 4, was struck in March, 1865, and com¬ 
menced to flow at the rate of 300 barrels per day. Is 
still flowing twenty barrels per day. Well on lease 
No. 5, after flowing for two years, commencing at 
twenty barrels per day, was torpedoed ten months 
since, and has yielded a daily average of fifty barrels 
ever since. Have nine non-producing wells; all have 
produced some oil. Two of them have only been 
drilled to the second sandrock. The total production 
of the farm is estimated at 175,000 to 200,000 barrels. 
Average depth of wells, 610 to 725 feet, according to 
altitude. Average cost, $3,500 to $4,000. Commenced 



502 


PETROLIA. 


producing in 1865. Depth of driving-pipe, 40 feet on 
river bank. On the bluff none. Have thirteen engines 
on the property. Average depth of first sandrock, 160 
feet—16 to 18 feet thick ; second sand, 240 feet—20 
feet thick; third sand, 598 feet—12 to 16 feet thick. 
There is but little flat land on the farm. The bluffs 
come abruptly to the water’s edge. The wells are lo¬ 
cated chiefly on the bluff, and are owned by lessees. 

Foster's Island .—Is in the Allegheny River, opposite 
the Foster farm. Owned by Foster Island Oil Conf- 
pany. Has two producing wells, and five non-produc¬ 
ing. Daily production, fourteen barrels. Commenced 
producing in 1865. Total production estimated at 
about 50,000 barrels. The Island contains from four 
to six acres. 

Miller Farm .—Adjoins Foster farm, on same side 
of river. Is owned by Miller Farm Oil Company, of 
Philadelphia, and a Hew York Oil Company. Con¬ 
tains about 150 acres. Some fifteen wells have been 
drilled on the farm; most of them in 1865 and 1866. 
One of these, the Buckholtz well, struck in 1865, flowed 
at the commencement 150 barrels per day. Has never 
been considered very productive. The daily produc¬ 
tion at present is from ten to fifteen barrels. Cost 
depth of wells, and sandrocks, about the same as on 
the Foster farm above. 

Leicis , Bonsall & Co's. Tract —Is part of Bingham 
Land Estate, on south side of Allegheny, in Rockland 
township. Former owners, Bingham Land Estate. 
Present owners, Lewis, Bonsall & Co., of PliiladeR 
phia. Purchased in 1864. Contains about 120 acres. 
Bounded on the north by Allegheny River, east by 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 503 

lands of Granite Oil Company, south by Highfield and 
Hamby, west by lands of Snider and Venango Central 
& Duck Creek Oil Company. Is six miles south of 
Franklin. Allegheny River bears west. Have three 
producing wells. Two non-producing. One of these 
was struck two years since, and commenced to flow 
300 barrels per day. Was burned soon after being 
struck. The rope to which the tools were attached 
burned off, and the tools dropped into the well. These 
were taken out after several months’ labor, and the 
well produced 20,000 barrels of oil. In sinking the 
well deeper, a short time since, the tools became fast 
again. Are now engaged in taking them out by means 
of Luther’s Patent Well Rods. These rods are made 
of two and a quarter inch iron, and are very heavy. 
They are fastened to the top of the refractory tools, 
when practicable, and the same pulled up, after being 
jarred loose. When this cannot be done, the fastened 
tools are unscrewed, piece by piece, the rods being ar¬ 
ranged to act as a left-handed screw. By means of 
suitable gearing attached to the top of the rods, either 
the bull-wheel or the full power of the engine can be 
attached. This is the most effective apparatus yet 
devised for extraction of tools from wells. The owner 
of the patent rods contracts with owners of wells to 
extract tools for a specified sum, and the apparatus sel¬ 
dom fails. Have one well drilling on the property. 
Allegheny Valley Railroad passes through property 
on river bank west. Public road to Freedom passes 
through portion of tract bearing southeast. Total pro¬ 
duction, 30,000 barrels. River front of farm, abrupt 
bluff, railroad forming only flat portion. Average 
depth of wells, G20 to *720 feet, according to altitude. 
Average cost, $4,000. Commenced producing in April, 
18G6. Wells on the bluff. Owned by Lewis, Bonsall 


50 4 


PETROLIA. 


& Co. Have five engines on the property. Depth of 
first sandrock, 310 to 370 feet—20 feet thick; second 
sand, 455 to 540 feet—28 feet thick; third sand, 010 
to 700 feet—12 feet thick. Two feet of the third sand, 
at the top is a beautiful transparent and variegated 
pebble, extremely hard, being in appearance pure 
quartz. Depth of driving-pipe on river bank 8 feet. 
On bluff, 60 feet. 

The hills are gently sloping, and the property has 
proved excellent so far as developed. 

Snider Farm .—On south bank of Allegheny River, 
in Rockland township. Former owner, John Snider. 
Present owners, Venango Central & Duck Creek Pe¬ 
troleum Company. Purchased in 1861. Contains 
about fifty acres. Bounded on the north by the river, 
east by Lewis, Bonsall & Co., south by John Hamby, 
west by Ogden Mining Company. Six miles south of 
Franklin. Allegheny River runs through, bearing 
west. Railroad west. Road to Freedom southeast. 
Have seven producing w T ells on the farm. Daily pro¬ 
duction, eighty barrels. Thirteen non-producing wells. 
Most of them have produced some oil; one not tested. 
Commenced producing in 1861. Total production es¬ 
timated at over 50,000 barrels. Wells owned by com¬ 
pany and lessees. Depth of wells, cost, sandrocks, &c., 
about same as on Lewis, Bonsall & Co.’s tract. Bluff 
on river front, abrupt to water. 

Excelsior Oil Company's Tract. (Smith farm.)— 
On north bank of Allegheny River, Sandy Creek town- 
skip. Former owner, David Smith. Present owner, 
Excelsior Oil Company, of Philadelphia. Purchased 
in 1864. Contains from 150 to 200 acres. Bounded 
on the north by Highfield and J. Foster, east and south 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 505 

ky river, west by lands of Foster Farm Oil Company. 
Five and a half miles south of Franklin. Bearing: of 
Allegheny River south and west. Road to Franklin 
over the hill northwest. Ho producing wells at pres¬ 
ent. Seven or eight of their wells formerly produced. 
Commenced producing in 1863 or 1864. Total produc¬ 
tion, estimated, 4,000 to 5,000 barrels. Wells only 
drilled to second sandrock. Average depth of wells, 
475 feet. Located on the flat, and owned by company. 
Average cost, $3,000. Have two engines on the prop¬ 
erty. Depth of tirst sandrock, 300 feet—16 to 18 feet 
thick ; second sand, 460 feet—20 feet thick. Nothing 
doing on the farm. 

Ogden Mining Company''s Tract. (Snider farm), 
—Former owner, Snider. Present owner, Ogden Min¬ 
ing Company, of New York. Purchased in 1864. 
Contains sixty acres. Bounded on the north by river / 
east by lands of Venango Central & Duck Creek Oil 
Company, south by Hamby & Snider, west by Phila¬ 
delphia & Boston Petroleum Company. Six miles 
south of Franklin. Bearing of Allegheny River, west. 
Roads, railroad and public road to Freedom passing 
through. Have one producing well, two barrels per 
day. Eleven non-producing wells. Wells only drilled 
to second sandrock, so we were informed. Total pro¬ 
duction estimated at 500 barrels. The company, we 
were told, was originally formed to mine for coal on 
this tract. Could not learn of any success on their 
part. The one well pumping is all sign of life visible 
on the tract at present. 

taeker’s landing. 

Parker’s Landing, the present centre of an extensive 
oil field, judging from present appearances, is one of 
22 


506 


PETKOLIA. 


the principal steamboat landings on the west bank of 
Allegheny River, fifty-two miles below Oil City. The 
development is confined at present chiefly to the Par¬ 
ker farms, three in number, and containing about 300 
acres, and the Pittsburgh and Tom’s Run Petroleum 
Company’s lands, containing about 200 acres. The 
general appearance of the country at this point is sim¬ 
ilar in general respects to the other portions of the 
river valley of the tortuous Allegheny. High hills, the 
altitude of which decrease slightly with the ascent, 
with occasional valleys or flats, as they are called, the 
hills being cut through or divided by numerous ravines. 
The wells are located on the flats, ravines, and bluffs, 
or sides of the hills. The first well in this locality was 
struck in October, 1868. In the Summer and Fall of 
1868, a number of good wells were struck. Since then 
the excitement has been considerable, and a large num¬ 
ber of operators are now engaged in development. In 
addition to the wells already drilled and producing, at 
the time of our visit, thirteen new wells were in dif¬ 
ferent stages of completion and more are being com¬ 
menced daily. The following is a list of the present 
producing wells in the locality during the month of Feb¬ 
ruary, 1869: Colfax well, 25 barrels per day; Grant 
well, 6 barrels; Red Bank Oil Company, 8 barrels; J. 
& S. D. Carnes, 12 barrels; West Sunbury Oil Com¬ 
pany, two wells, 18 barrels; Clarion and Allegheny 
River Oil Company, two wells, 25 barrels; Sherland 
Oil Company, two wells, 28 barrels; all the above 
wells on Parker farms. On Pittsburgh and Tom’s Run 
Oil Company’s lands are the following: Company’s 
two wells, 15 barrels ; Polecat, 4 barrels ; Hovey well, 
8 barrels. 

Average depth of wells, 830 to 850 feet. Aver¬ 
age cost of same, $3,500 to $4,000. Depth of first 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 507 

sandrock, 212 feet—15 to 20 feet thick; second sand, 
540 feet—15 to 20 feet thick; third sand, 800 to 820 
feet—30 to 35 feet thick. The third sand found here is 
a beautiful white pebble, mixed with quartz. Depth 
of driving-pipe, 16 to 20 feet. About forty engines 
are on these properties. 

At Foxburgh, or Foxton, on east side of Allegheny 
River, just above Parker’s Landing, are two producing 
wells, with a daily production of about ten barrels. 
The Colden well, on opposite side of river, is producing 
a small amount. Foxburgh is in Clarion County. 

On the Crawford farm, at Emlenton, in Venango 
County, is one producing well, small, and two more 
drilling. 

At Brady’s Bend, on the Allegheny, below Parker’s 
Landing, are several small producing wells. Average 
depth of wells deeper than those above. 

A number of farms, upon the Clarion River, were 
purchased by oil stock companies during 1864 and 
1865. The development on these has not been suf¬ 
ficient to test them thoroughly. The same is the case 
with the numerous tributaries of the Allegheny, from 
Parker’s Landing, and even below, to its headwaters. 
It is reasonable to assume that all these farms will be 
thoroughly tested during coming years. 

CHURCH RUN, 

Comes into the northern portion of the city limits 
of Titusville, and passes through a portion of the same. 
The wells are located about one mile up the Run. The 
principal developments are on the Alcorn, Weed, and 
jVPKnight farms, embracing in the aggregate from 
1,000 to 1,200 acres. Development was commenced in 
the first years of Petroleum discovery, but never became 
extensive until within the last few years. The number of 


508 


PETKOLIA. 


wells producing and non-producing we estimate at about 
100. Total of producing wells and production not ascer¬ 
tained fully. Producing wells at present average from 
ten to thirty barrels each. Daily production of entire lo¬ 
cality, about 450 barrels. The longevity of wells on 
Church Run, is greatly above the average. The Eureka 
well, owned by Atlantic & Great Western Oil Company, 
commenced producing over three years ago, at the rate 
of seventy-five barrels per day. By exploding a tor¬ 
pedo in the well last spring, the production was in¬ 
creased to 280 barrels. Is still producing about thirty 
barrels per day. Depth of wells, from 575 to 650 feet, 
according to elevation. Cost, $4,000. Depth of first 
sandrock, 225, feet—60 feet thick; second sand, 495 
feet—15 feet thick ; third sand, 500 feet—60 feet thick, 
hard and pebbly. Some twenty-five to thirty new 
wells have been commenced, and a large extent of the 
territory will be developed during 1869. The re¬ 
appearance of the third sandrock of Oil Creek at this 
locality is one of the marvels which only patient inves¬ 
tigation can satisfactorily settle. Of its extent we can 
as yet form no correct idea. It possibly may have 
some connection with that found in New York State, 
at Cuba, and in portions of Chautauque and Cattaraugus 
counties. It is remarkable that so far as traced the oil¬ 
bearing sandrocks have one general direction, northeast 
and southwest. The streams tributary to the Alle¬ 
gheny River have this same general bearing throughout 
the oil-producing region. The source or fountain has 
not been clearly defined, but will be in a few years 
of development. We shall not be surprised if Church 
Run and vicinity proves as abundantly productive as 
any of the oil fields that have preceded it. At any 
rate, its capacity for oil production will be fully tested 
during the coming season. 


LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FARMS. 509 


This ends the chapter on the oil farms of the Petro¬ 
leum Region. The impossibility of procuring the exact 
details of operations upon each farm, must be apparent 
to all who have any knowledge of the reckless manner 
in which the business was transacted during the first 
several years following its commencement. Enough 
has been ascertained, however, to give the reader not 
only a correct idea of the development and results of 
same in each locality treated of, but also of the general 
development, in the entire Oil Region, its characteris¬ 
tics, and the general facts that an operator or even the 
stranger would be desirous to learn. 

The labor of obtaining the facts, descriptive of the 
various farms, has been great. We have only been 
actuated by a desire to present such details as would 
prove a guide to the oil operator, or as information to 
parties wishing to make investments. The general 
description given of each farm and locality will enable 
both classes to commence understandingly. The tabu¬ 
lar statement which follows, gives a general summary 
of the entire development from the commencement: 


510 


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STATISTICAL TABLES. 


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600 to 700 
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STATISTICAL TABLES 


515 


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519 


to to 
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0 0 co 

10 to CO 

tO 

CM 

O O Cl CM 

y -4 y—\ r* r-\ 

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rH 

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12 

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10 

25 

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0 

to 

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to 0 0 

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to 

to 

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tO 

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0 

to 

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rH 

rH Cl Cl (M 

CM 

Cl 

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00 

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PETROLIA 


•apiuo *siiqa 


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STATISTICAL TABLES 


521 


Cl 


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CHAPTER XV. 


FLOOD, FIRE, AND FINANCIAL DISASTER. 

No locality of similar extent has suffered more 
severely from the causes enumerated at the head of the 
chapter, than has the Oil Region. Though depressing 
to the most buoyant spirit, and well nigh ruinous at 
times, the energy of the people has always proved 
equal to the emergency. Scarce had the waters receded 
from the site of buildings which the flood had carried 
away or wrecked, ere a new foundation for a structure 
was being laid. After a destructive conflagration, new r 
buildings were commenced often before the embers had 
ceased to smoulder. In like spirit has every disaster 
been met. We shall essay to give a brief sketch of 
these in the order they occurred : 

The crush of oil boats at Oil City by an ice-gorge, 
December 7, 1862, was the first disaster of any mag¬ 
nitude. Owing to the great scarcity of oil in the Pitts¬ 
burgh market, the low water, and extremely high rates 
of freight, an unusually large number of oil boats had 
accumulated at the wharves of Oil City. A large per 
centage of these were laden wflth bulk and barrel oil 
waiting anxiously to take advantage of the first flood 
or rise of w r ater, and thus be enabled to reap the rich 
harvest that awaited them at Pittsburgh. A large 
amount of this oil had been purchased at the wells dur¬ 
ing the early portion of the season, at a cost of seventy- 
five cents per barrel. At the time of the disaster, 


FLOOD, FIRE, AND FINANCIAL DISASTER. 529 

Pittsburgh quotations for crude were thirty-one and 
thirty-two cents per gallon. 

On Friday snow fell, and the weather became cold, 
slush-ice forming in the river and Creek, with thirteen 
inches of water in the river channel. In addition to 
the previous large accumulation, 30,000 to 40,000 bar¬ 
rels of oil had come out of the Creek on pond freshets, 
a few days previous, and the boats containing it were 
moored at the different landings. The cold became 
more intense, and ice formed rapidly in the river on 
Saturday, when another heavy fall of snow occurred, 
slush-ice forming fast in the Creek. On Saturday 
night the river was effectually closed, ice having formed 
several inches in thickness, the cold increasing in in¬ 
tensity. The Creek also became blocked up with ice, 
but not to so great an extent as the river. Extra lines 
were put on the boats, and every preparation made to 
secure them from danger of wreck. Late in the fore¬ 
noon of Sunday, the ice, which had formed a “ gorge ” 
in the Creek, broke loose and came out. 

An “ ice-gorge,” as it is called, is occasioned by the 
blocks of ice, w r hen the same is broken, grounding in 
shallow places, where it is often frozen to the bottom 
and is called “ground-ice.” These form a dam in a 
short time, forcing the water back. This soon forces 
its way under the sheet-ice, causing it to break and pile 
up, frequently to the height of ten to fifteen feet in 
narrow streams. The water forced back by this mass 
of ice, in a short time bores its w r ay through like an 
immense auger, causing it to give way, and sweeps it 
along, a mighty torrent of ice and water, that carries 
every thing before it. 

The ice coming out of the Creek, and the great vol¬ 
ume of water thus forced, went under the river ice, and 
lifted it up, causing a gorge. In a short time this be- 
23 


530 


PETROLIA. 


gan to move, the river being clear of ice for several 
miles below the lower landings. This torrent of ice 
and water received in addition the gorge of the Creek. 
The mass coming against the boats swept them from 
their moorings, breaking the strongest lines like yarn 
threads, crushing boats and barges into splinters, 
emptying their greasy cargoes into the swollen stream, 
making a general wreck. The whole affair only lasted 
a few minutes. Hemp, wood, and iron, all gave way 
before the mighty avalanche of ice and water. As es¬ 
timated at the time, from 50,000 to 60,000 barrels of 
oil, and 200 boats were lost. The total loss, real and 
contingent, was over $500,000. In a few days after 
this disaster the river was clear of ice, and in good 
navigable order. But in this short time, the price of 
oil in Pittsburgh had fallen to nine cents per gallon, 
and receded during the rest of the season. Crude oil 
was selling at the time of this disaster, for five and six 
dollars at the wells, and in February, 1863, was any 
thing but brisk sale at forty cents per barrel. 

The scene presented at the commencement and dur¬ 
ing this disaster, was one that is vividly impressed 
upon the memory of the writer. The oil boats for the 
entire length of the wharf, were thickly clustered to¬ 
gether, in places half a dozen deep out into the stream. 
At the first pressure of the ice and water, the lines 
fastening the boats to the shore, became taut, then 
stretched to their utmost tension, inch and a half 
hawser-laid cable seeming scarcely thicker than one’s 
finger, and singing like fiddle-strings. A few surges 
more of the flood, and these broke asunder with sounds 
like pistol-shots in quick succession, sweeping the boats 
into a maelstrom of destruction. 

Similar recurrences took place in succeeding seasons, 
but no damage of moment ensued. 


FLOOD, FIRE, AND FINANCIAL DISASTER. 531 

During 1863 and 1864 several fires occurred among 
the oil boats, one or two of them proving disastrous. 
The first of these w r as occasioned by one of the boat¬ 
men holding a lantern in the compartment of a bulk 
boat, in order to ascertain if the boat was leakimr. The 
gas generated by the loose oil caught fire from the 
blaze of the lantern, and exploded with a shock that 
was felt all over the neighborhood, sadly damaging 
both man and lantern, and throwing jets of blazing oil 
over the adjoining boats, which ignited in a moment. 
In a very short time some forty boats, laden with oil, 
w r ere blazing. Fortunately the fire occurred at the up¬ 
per end of the wharf. By means of poles the burning 
boats were pushed out into the stream as they took 
fire, and floated down past the fleet with the current. 
The river was soon covered with the blazing fleet. 
The fire occurred at night. A dense black cloud, 
formed by the smoke of the burning oil, hung over the 
entire locality like a pall. The lower part of the cloud 
from the reflection of the flames was rose-colored, and 
frequently a beautiful pink. Every few moments a 
flash of light, resembling lightning, illumined the 
cloud, making a combination of colors exceedingly 
beautiful. The blazing boats floating on, the crowds 
of men stationed along the outside of the boats that 
remained fastened keeping off those that were on fire, 
their forms frequently obscured by the smoke, boats 
sinking, and the general confusion that reigned, fur¬ 
nished a fair/be simile of a naval battle, the explosion 
of the oil barrels from the intense heat, furnishing the 
artillery accompaniment. The oil from the burning 
boats ran out upon the surface of the water, and at 
times the whole river was ablaze. 

One of the blazing boats passed under the suspen¬ 
sion bridge across the Allegheny at Franklin, setting 


532 


PETROLIA. 


on fire and destroying it. Beyond the boatman, who 
was seriously burned by the explosion, no one was in¬ 
jured. The loss, including the bridge, was about $150,000. 

Another fire occurred among a cluster of boats 
aground at the head of the island opposite the mouth 
of Oil Creek, at a subsequent period. It was produced 
from the same cause as the one described, and was sim¬ 
ilar in its general results. The adjoining boats became 
enveloped in flames almost instantaneously. One of 
these, not being grounded firmly, floated off in a direct 
line for the ferry landing, on the Venango City side of 
the river. When near the shore, as if impelled by some 
invisible force, it came nearly in a straight line against 
the current, back again to the Oil City side, and drifted 
alongside of the first of the boats of the oil fleet. For 
a few moments the destruction of the entire wharves, 
oil, boats, and even a large portion of the town seemed 
inevitable. Two row-boats were hastily manned, chains 
fastened to the bow of the burning boat, the oarsmen 
bent lustily to their work, and the blazing mass was 
towed past the entire fleet, and grounded on the island 
at the foot of the eddy. Anxious eyes followed the 
progress of the burning boat towed along by the gal¬ 
lant crews, and hearts throbbed audibly. The other 
boats being firmly grounded, burned as long as a drop 
of oil remained, and were entirely consumed. For a 
few hours the oil burned in the water, cracking and 
snapping with a din truly infernal, the water only in¬ 
creasing its intensity. Small streams of oil flowed 
over the water in different directions. These momen¬ 
tarily ignited, and the blaze, many yards in length, 
leaped upward to a height of fifteen to twenty feet, 
scattering sparkling spangles of fire in showers. 

It is difficult to conceive the terrible aspect pre¬ 
sented by a blazing mass of Petroleum. A thick black 


FLOOD, FIRE, AND FINANCIAL DISASTER. 533 

smoke is evolved by the burning oil, dense and suffo¬ 
cating in its nature, beyond any from the combustion 
of other substances. The heat is intense, beyond 
description ; all combustible substances melt before it 
like frost work in the rays of the sun. To deluge it 
with water, only adds to its combustion and volume. 
All that can be done is to confine it to as small a space 
as possible, and wait until it ceases for want of fuel. 

In some cases it is smothered out by the introduction 
of a powerful jet of steam, but such instances are rare. 
At burning wells earth has been used to cover up the 
mouth of the well, with invariable success. The Burn¬ 
ing well, on the Allegheny River, is partially an excep¬ 
tion, and has been burning from the date of its strik¬ 
ing, over three years ago. When the flame was extin¬ 
guished at the mouth of the well, it broke out from the 
surface of the earth surrounding in different directions, 
and even from the surface of the river. To prevent 
damage to the adjacent property, it was allowed to 
burn. This wonderful phenomenon is some fifteen miles 
below Franklin, on the Allegheny River, and a few 
rods distant from the line of the Allegheny Valley 
Railroad. This well has recently ceased to burn. 

A number of frame buildings, on Main street, Oil 
City, among which was Michigan Block, burned during 
the period we have mentioned. 

An extensive conflagration occurred in October, 
1802, at the Blood farm, on Oil Creek. The gas from 
a flowing well taking fire from an engine near by was 
the cause. The space burned over embraced an extent 
of from twenty to thirty acres, on which were 100 
wooden tanks, containing between 20,000 and 30,000 
barrels of oil. Seven flowing and three pumping wells, 
with all their machinery were burned. The burning 
oil ran over the fiats and the Creek. The scene was 


534 


PETEOLIA. 


both grand and terrible. The loss was estimated at 
fully $1,000,000, some of the best wells being ruined. 

The losses by pond freshets was very great, during 
the first and subsequent years. The most noted disaster 
of this kind transpired in May, 1864. It was occa¬ 
sioned b'y some boats becoming lodged against the pier 
of the bridge at Oil City, thus causing a “jam.” From 
25,000 to 30,000 barrels of oil and a large number of 
boats were lost. Oil was dipped from the surface of 
the water for days afterward, some of those engaged 
in the work procuring from 50 to 100 barrels per day. 
The business of dipping oil from the surface of the 
Creek and river after pond freshets or other disasters, 
was quite profitable, and furnished employment to a 
large number of persons. Operators with a limited 
amount of capital used boards or an oar stem, which 
was thrown out into the stream, acting as a boom, and 
forming an eddy into which the floating oil was col¬ 
lected. It was dipped or skimmed off the surface of the 
water with long-handled tin or iron dippers. Affluent 
dippers used an oil boat, swung broadside to the current. 
The oil collected against the side, and was dipped into 
the boat as described. After being subjected to a cer¬ 
tain degree of heat to rid it of the water, an old boiler 
being used as a still, this oil became merchantable. 
Certain enterprising parties in the business, not content 
to await accidents for a harvest, bored holes with a 
gimlet in the bottoms of bulk boats. This plan was 
attended with such success, that augers were finally 
brought into requisition. The business soon became 
in bad odor with shippers, and gradually unprofitable. 

The great flood of March, 1865, was the most ruin¬ 
ous in extent of any disaster that has ever transpired 
in the Oil Region. The total loss, from the Oil Re¬ 
gion alone, was estimated at $5,000,000. We wit- 


FLOOD, FIRE, AND FINANCIAL DISASTER. 535 

nessecl the flood, and can safely assert that but few 
have occurred that exceeded it in destructive force. 
During the winter, snow had accumulated to the depth 
of several feet on the hills of the Upper Allegheny, its 
tributaries and the headwaters of Oil Creek. Heavy 
rains fell for several days preceding the flood, causing 
the snow to melt rapidly, and swelling the streams. 

On Wednesday the river commenced to rise, the 
rain still continuing. On Thursday both river and 
Creek came up rapidly, and during the day occurred 
the heaviest and most continuous showers of rain we 
have ever witnessed. It seemed, indeed, for a short 
time, that the “flood-gates of Heaven” were opened, 
and the Deluge, on a small scale, was about to be reen¬ 
acted. 

Haliday Hun, a small stream ordinarily, passing 
through the centre of the west side of Oil City, swollen 
into a torrent, came pouring through Main street like 
a cataract, flooding the cellars of the buildings in its 
course, and setting afloat the oil barrels in Fisher Bros., 
and the adjoining oil yards. The rain continued during 
the entire day and night, and the water rose rapidly. 
At four o’clock, p. m., the water of the Creek was 
within four feet of the bridge that divides the town. 
The whole upper portion of the Hasson flats on east 
side of Creek, were covered with water, that stream 
having run over its banks, as was also Centre street, 
in places to a depth of three to four feet. A large 
number of oil boats, and great quantities of drift of 
various kinds came down the Creek. Two large oil 
boats wedded fast under the west end of the Creek 
bridge, directly against the abutment, lifting it from 
the foundation, and a large boat laden with oil was ly¬ 
ing athwart the pier. The current of the Creek came 
down with terrific force, bearing upon its surface drift* 


536 


FETKOLIA. 


wood, logs, whole boats, and parts of boats, and oil 
tanks; these latter being partly tilled with water, were 
sufficiently low to pass under the bridge. 

On the west side of the Creek, the water of the 
river came up to the doors of the upper warehouses on 
the landings, Shirk & Co.’s, and Fisher Bros.; while 
the warehouse of Parker & Castle, just below, was 
submerged to the first floor. Booms were constructed 
along the front of the upper wharves to keep the bar¬ 
rels from floating off. 

The night was one of pitchy darkness, and the rain 
poured down unceasingly. At six o’clock, f. m., the 
river was rising at the rate of six inches an hour, and 
at twelve, m., it exceeded a foot. At seven, p. m., 
one half of the bridge gave way, and was carried into 
the stream. At ten, p. m., the other half of the bridge 
was swept away, severing the only mode of communi¬ 
cation between the east and west portions of the city. 

From this time the work of destruction went on. 
The river current was diverted from its usual channel 
ten to twelve rods, and poured in resistless force 
through the western part of the Oil City, directly 
through about the centre of the flat, between Main 
street and the river, on which were located the oil 
yards. Into this current the waters of the Creek dis¬ 
charged. Trees, drift-wood, and wreck of every de¬ 
scription were borne along on this current, which swept 
every thing before it. Heavy boilers and engines were 
torn from their foundations, and carried considerable 
distances, as though they had been feathers, derricks 
thrown down, and heavy foundation timbers crushed 
like reeds. Houses, lifted from their foundations, be¬ 
came mingled with the general wreck. Nearly 100 
buildings, it is estimated, were afloat on both sides of 
the Creek. In many of these were the occupants, not 


FLOOD, FIRE, AND FINANCIAL DISASTER. 537 

thinking for an instant that their houses would he car¬ 
ried away, until it was too late. They were rescued 
by the earnest efforts of the people, but lost most of 
their effects. But few of the participants will soon for¬ 
get the horrors of that memorable Thursday night. 

Never was the dawning of day more gratefully 
hailed than by these sufferers. The full realization of 
the destruction of the few previous hours came with 
it. The entire east side of the Creek was a complete 
wreck. Houses were floating over the flat, both above 
and below Centre street, a majority of the buildings 
on the upper portion of the flat having been carried 
away. Along Centre street, from the Gibson House, 
over midway to the bridge, most of the buildings were 
submerged to the second story. Several buildings on 
the upper side of the street had been lifted from their 
foundations, and carried into the street. The street 
itself was filled with floating fragments of boats, 
houses, wagons, furniture, and horses, and, in fact, 
debris of every description. 

But the saddest sight of all was the groups of fam¬ 
ilies assembled upon the higher ground, who had been 
compelled to leave their houses during the night and 
earlier part of the morning. Some had saved a portion 
of their effects, while others had scarcely saved wearing 
apparel sufficient to shield them from the chilly air. 
Suitable provision was made for them at the earliest 
practicable moment, and in a short time they were all 
suitably cared for and comfortably housed. 

The space between Centre street and the river, was 
full of timber, drift, and other wreck, including a large 
number of oil barrels, full and empty. One of the 
large iron tanks of Graff, Hasson & Co., 8,000 barrels 
in capacity, was lifted from its foundation and partly 
turned over. A boom, made of empty oil boats, securely 


538 


PETROLIA. 


lashea together, prevented the wrecked matter from 
being carried away. Fortunately, too, the current of 
the Creek kept in its accustomed channel. The depth 
of water in Centre street was, in places, ten feet. 

The appearance presented by the western portion 
of Oil City was equally as disastrous. For some dis¬ 
tance below the bridge, Main street was flooded, the 
buildings, nearly to the Linden well, being submerged 
to a considerable depth. The whole distance to a point 
below was in a similar condition. Nearly opposite the 
Petroleum House, between Main street and the river, 
the current of the water from the Creek had set in 
toward the shore, and was materially assisted in its vol¬ 
ume by the rushing flood of the river, now at its height. 
This current struck the river bank a short distance 
above Ferry street. The high elevation from the river 
to the street kept the current from going into Main 
street itself. Below this the water had struck with 
great force, clearing away every thing before it. 

The warehouse of Shirk & Co., the first on the wharf, 
was about in the centre of this current. A large 
amount of iron tubing and heavy castings were stored 
in this warehouse, enabling it to withstand the current. 
The warehouses of Fisher Bros, and Parker & Castle, 
just below, held out well also, the three warehouses 
acting as a breakwater. At seven o’ clock, a. m., the 
warehouse of Parker & Castle Avas carried away, and 
that of Fisher Bros, at nine o’clock, a. m. At ten 
o’clock, a. m., Shirk & Co.’s warehouse, after strug¬ 
gling long and well against the combined forces of the 
mighty element, succumbed, and went sailing out into 
the river. The force of the current being now unob¬ 
structed, swept with fearful violence through the oil 
yards below, carrying away oil barrels and every thing 
else that came in its course. During this time the sur- 


FLOOD, FIDE, AND FINANCIAL DISASTER. 539 

face of the river was covered with oil barrels, thousands 
having been carried out during the night and day. 
Huge giants of the forest, that had been torn from the 
banks by the force of the water, came sailing majes¬ 
tically along. Sixteen large wooden oil tanks went by 
in the course of an hour. Boats, derricks, and engine- 
houses, added to the variety of the wreck. 

The water continued to rise slowly during Friday. 
On Friday night it commenced to fall so gradually as 
to be almost imperceptible, and during the night there 
was a severe storm of wind and rain. The wind blew 
a gale, and the rain fell in torrents. For a time it 
seemed that every thing would be leveled with the 
earth. Fortunately no serious damage ensued from the 
storm. During the latter part of the night the weather 
became several degrees colder, and several inches of 
snow fell. This checked the melting of the snow 
above, causing the river to fall rapidly, and in a few 
days it had receded to its accustomed channel. Strange 
to relate, but one life was lost during the recurrence 
of the flood. A young man lost his life while endeavor¬ 
ing to save a horse at one of the lower landings, being 
swept into the rapid current where all human aid was 
powerless to save him. The total height of the water, 
at the highest point, was estimated at twenty-eight feet. 

Sixty thousand barrels of oil and 40,000 empty bar¬ 
rels were lost; also, boats and barges in great number. 
Many of the wells on the bank of the river and 
Creek, and especially those on the islands were ruined 
by the water and sand, besides having their derricks 
and engine-houses swept away. It required months to 
clear away the wreck, and many persons were irretriev¬ 
ably ruined. Business of all kinds was practically sus¬ 
pended for weeks. After a time the wreck was cleared 
away, the buildings destroyed replaced, and business 


540 


PETEOLIA. 


in general went on as usual. A slight repetition of this 
flood occurred during subsequent seasons, but no serious 
damage ensued. 

A number of destructive fires occurred during 1866 
and 1867, at the different points along Oil Creek, at 
Pithole, and Tidioute, consuming oil, varying in 
amounts from 5,000 to 20,000 barrels, and a number 
of buildings, &c. The most disastrous of these was 
the extensive conflagration that occurred at Oil City, 
May 26, 1866, destroying the entire business portion 
of the eastern side of the place. 

The fire occurred in a building occupied as a laun¬ 
dry, on Low street, at about eleven o’clock, A. M. 
Having no fire apparatus, it was impossible to check 
the headway of the flames. In a few hours some 200 
buildings were totally consumed, and 150 familes 
rendered homeless. 

Coming as it did so closely upon the heavy losses 
of the preceding year, this was the most disheartening 
blow yet sustained by the community. The delay, how¬ 
ever, was brief. Before the smoke had fairly cleared 
away from the burning buildings, new structures could 
be seen rising phoenix-like from the ashes, and in a few 
months the greater portion of the burned district was 
covered with a better style of buildings than before. 
The total loss was estimated at $1,000,000. An efficient 
fire apparatus was also purchased, which has on several 
occasions since saved the town from a general confla¬ 
gration. 

The effect was made worse by the subsequent crash 
of the oil-bubble that had been inflated to such an ex¬ 
tent by the formation of over 1,000 oil companies, in 
different portions of the land. The total losses incurred 
by the people of the Oil Region during the successive 
years from the causes enumerated we estimate at not 


FLOOD, FIRE, AND FINANCIAL DISASTER. 541 

less than $10,000,000. The indirect or prospective loss 
from suspension of business, &c., amounted to a far 
greater sum. 

Each disaster seemed to inspire the people with 
fresh energy. Firm believers in the doctrine of mani¬ 
fest destiny, so far as their own immediate business 
future was concerned, no obstacle daunted or impeded 
their progress. The successful results of each subse¬ 
quent year amply prove that their faith was well founded. 


CHAPTER XVI. 


COAL—BITUMINOUS CLAYS AND SHALES-BITUMEN— 

PETROLEUM—TABLE OF VOLATILE MATTERS, COKE 
AND CRUDE OIL FROM COALS, &C. 

The best general description of the substances 
enumerated as above, and their properties, we find in 
Gesner’s valuable work on Coal Oils. From this emi¬ 
nent authority we compile the following: 

The varieties of coal have heretofore been classed 
under the heads of 

Anthracite, or Hard Coal, 

Caking Coal, 

Cherry Coal, 

Splint Coal, and 
Cannel Coal. 

These five varieties have the following composi¬ 
tion : 


Richardson. Thompson. 

--«-, ,-*-X 


Anthracite. 

Caking Coal. 

Cherry Coal. 

Splint Coal. 

Cannel Coal. 

Carbon. 


.92.56 

87.952 

83.052 

82.924 

76.25 

Hydrogen... 


.. 3.33 

5.239 

5.250 

5.491 

5.50 

ftitrogen. 


(< 

U 

t i 

U 

1.61 

Oxygen. 



3.806 

8.566 

8.847 

13.83 

Ashes. 



1 393 

1.549 

1.128 

2.81 


Other varieties of combustibles have been arranged 
by Berthier in the following manner: 






















COAL. 


543 


Composition in 100 parts. 

Peat o • 
Turf. 

Lienite or 
Brown Coal. 

Bituminous 

Coal. 

Anthracite, 

Pa. 

Plumbago 
or Graphite. 

Carbon. 

38 

54 

73 

94 

95 

Hydrogen. 

33 

05 

05 

2.55 

95 

Oxygen. 

38 

26 

20 

2.56 

95 

Ashes. 

17.4 

14 

02 

2.56 

95 

Volatile matter. 

23 

14 

02 

2.56 

95 

Iron. 

28 

14 

02 

2.56 

5 


The names given to combustible substances have 
been applied with reference only to their common char¬ 
acters and uses. Frequently coals bear the names of 
the places where they are mined. Few of their appel¬ 
lations have any reference whatever to their chemical 
composition, and therefore in seeking for oil coals (if 
the term may be used), the manufacturer must be 
directed by an actual test of the material itself. 

In the same coal field, the same series of strata, and 
in the same stratum there are important differences of 
composition. It is as providential as wonderful that 
the carbonaceous material of the same deposit is 
adapted to different uses. 

The varieties of coal may have been produced from 
the different kinds of plants from which coal has been 
derived, and the peculiar conditions of the districts 
where those plants flourished before their downfall and 
inhumation, or submersion. The changes that have 
taken place in the original plants during their passage 
from Tvoody fibre into coal are ascribed to the evolu¬ 
tion of a part of their carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, 
as there is less of those elements in the coal than in 
wood. This will be observed by viewing the following 
table: 



Carbon. 

Hydrogen. 

Oxygen and 
Nitrogen. 

Composition of the anthracites of the 
Transition Rocks ... 

90. 

2.50 

3.69 

Bituminous coal of the Secondary Rocks 

86. 

4.86 

7.11 

Lignites of the Tertiary Rocks . 

60.36 

49.60 

5.00 

5.80 

25.62 

42.56 










































544 


PETKOLIA. 


It will also be obs3rved, that the older the forma¬ 
tion the greater the amount of carbon contained in its 
coal, the amount of hydrogen being diminished. This 
fact may be ascribed, chiefly or in part, to the greater 
degree of heat and pressure to which the lower and 
older coal strata have been, and still are subjected. 

The gases of deep coal mines are very similar to 
those of gas manufactories, and such as are produced 
by a high temperature. The deeper the mine, the 
greater is the discharge of carburetted hydrogen. It 
is to the internal heat of the earth, and other chemical 
agencies combined with causes of less force, that we 
must chiefly ascribe the transmutation of wood into 
coal. The similarity of the distilled products of w 7 ood 
and coals, and of charcoal and coke, should not be 
overlooked in seeking for proofs of the vegetable 
origin of coah In mines of lignite and cannel coal, car¬ 
bonic acid or choke damp , is almost the only gas pres¬ 
ent. In lower coal mines, or those that have been 
longer under the influence of heating and other chemi¬ 
cal agents, carburetted hydrogen, or fire damp , pre¬ 
dominates. 

Liebig has shown the great loss of oxygen and in¬ 
crease of hydrogen and carbon in lignite and brown 
coal, during their transition from a vegetable to a 
fossil state ; still there is much that remains unexplained 
regarding other kinds of coal 

BOGHEAD COAL, OR BITUMINOUS CLAY. 

This peculiar mineral occurs at Torbane Hill, in the 
carboniferous limestone of the Frith of Forth, Scot¬ 
land. It is the material from which Mr. Young obtains 
paraffin oil and paraffin, and his manufactory is in the 
immediate vicinity. It has been extensively shipped 
to the United States, and employed in the manufacture 


COAL. 


545 


of kerosene oil at New York and Boston. During the 
year 1859, the North American Kerosene Gas Light 
Company imported upwards of 20,000 tons of this ma¬ 
terial for the supply of their works at Newtown Creek, 
Long Island, and at an average cost of eighteen dollars 
per ton. * * * 

Although this mineral possesses but few of the 
characteristics of a true coal, the term coal has been 
applied to it for convenience. It has been the source 
of long continued and expensive lawsuits. The point 
in dispute affected the ownership, whether it was coal, 
or not coal. Numbers of the most scientific men in 
Europe were arraigned before courts and juries to decide 
whether the so-called Boghead coal is coal, or bitumin¬ 
ous clay. There was a decided preponderance against 
the term “ coal” and in favor of “ bituminous clay.” 
Finally the contending parties compromised, and the 
term coal was permitted to be applied, although the 
bitumen of the Great Pitch Lake of Trinidad has an 
equal right to the appellation. 

Boghead coal is among the most valuable minerals 
for the manufacture of oils. It has an uneven fracture, 
is of an earthy color, and burns with a long smoky 
flame. It yields 13,000 cubic feet of gas, of specific 
gravity, 0.775' per ton. As it contains only traces of 
nitrogen, the quantity of ammonia given off is small. 
The following is the medium result of four trials in 
testing its qualities : 


Volatile matter.70.10 

Carbon in coke.10.30 

Ash.19.60 


100.00 


The ton of coal run in common retorts gives 120 






546 


rETKOLIA. 


gallons of crude oil of which sixty-five gallons may be 
made into lamp oil, seven gallons of paraffin oil, and 
twelve pounds of pure paraffin. The coke is worth¬ 
less, and the ash consists chiefly of silica and alumina. 
At the price of eleven dollars per ton for the coals, the 
cost of the oil is estimated at sixty-three cents per gal¬ 
lon. 

ALBERT COAL. 

This bituminous mineral occurs at Hillsboro’, Albert 
County, in the province of New Brunswick, and with¬ 
in four miles of the Peticodiac River. It is an injected 
vein, situated almost vertically in the earth, and from 
one to sixteen feet in thickness. It is associated with 
rocks highly charged with bitumen, and has neither 
roof, floor, under-clay, nor stratum of stigmaria , nor 
other accompaniments which distinguish coal deposits 
from all others. 

The Albert coal, so-called, is extremely brilliant, 
breaks with a conchoidal fracture, does not soil the 
fingers, and is strongly electric. It melts, and drops 
in the flame of a candle, and dissolves in naphtha and 
other solvents, forming a varnish. It has all the essen¬ 
tial properties of asphaltum, while it is void of those 
which constitute true coal. Like the mineral of Tor- 
bane Hill, it has been the subject of disputes and law¬ 
suits, the total cost of which has exceeded $30,000. If 
the substance were coal, the coal was the property of 
one party; if asphaltum, the asphaltum belonged to 
another. Coal had been reserved by the Crown of 
Great Britain; but asphaltum was not mentioned in 
the grants of the land. In April, 1852, an intelligent 
jury, who analysed the mineral at Halifax, decided 
that it was asphaltum, and not coal. Another trial was 


COAL. 


547 


held in the county where the so-called Albert coal is 
rained in July of the same year. It lasted eleven days. 
Chemists were summoned from every quarter ; and un¬ 
der the most conflicting testimony, and with a jury of 
farmers, the advocates for coal obtained a verdict, and 
the asphaltum has since been called Albert coal. The 
composition of the Albert coal is as follows : 


Carbon... 
Hydrogen 
Nitrogen., 
Sulphur.. 
Oxygen... 
Ash. 


86.207 

85.400 

8.962 

9.200 

2.930 

3.060 

traces. 

a trace. 

1.971 

2.220 

0.100 

0.120 

100.000 

100.0C0 

'. Wetherell. 

Gesner. 


The average yield of crude oils by four trials in 
large retorts ivas 110 gallons per ton, and 


Volatile matters. G1.050 

Coke. 30.G50 

Hygroscopic moisture. 0.860 

Ash. 7.440 


100.000 

Of the crude oil seventy per cent, may be made into 
lamp oil, ten per cent, is heavy oil and paraffin. The 
coke is exceedingly bright and cellular; it burns rapid¬ 
ly, and gives a strong heat. 

BRECKINRIDGE COAL. 

The Allegheny or Appalachian coal field of the 
United States has been estimated to embrace 63,000 
square miles. Interstratified with the common bitumi¬ 
nous coals, in this vast region, there are very num¬ 
erous strata of cannel coals, adapted to the manufac¬ 
ture of oils. In the numerous surveys and valuable 

















548 


PETROLIA. 


reports made on the coal districts, cannel coals are sel¬ 
dom described as a distinct variety. 

A peculiarity of the great Western coal field is, 
that it does not appear to be separated into basins, or 
lake-like depressions in the earth, as it is in Europe, 
and in the anthracite coal districts. The bituminous 
coal is found in the tops of hills, and even in the Alle¬ 
gheny Mountains, in beds nearly horizontal, and it dis¬ 
plays the same peculiarity as it stretches away towards 
the Gulf of Mexico, the Canadian Lakes, and the Rocky 
Mountains. 

Among cannels that have been discovered, Breckin¬ 
ridge coal holds an important place. This coal occurs 
in Breckinridge County, Ky. It is a rich variety of 
cannel, three feet in thickness, and has already sup¬ 
plied a large amount of oil and paraffin. The lamp oil, 
when properly purified, is of good quality. At a red 
heat this coal yields : 


Volatile matters.. 61.300 

Fixed Carbon. 30.000 

Ash. 8.055 

Hygroscopic moisture.645 

Sulphur.a trace. 


100.000 

By the ordinary methods of working, this coal 
yields 130 gallons of crude oil per ton, of which fifty- 
eight per cent, was manufactured into lamp oil and 
twelve gallons into paraffin oil and paraffin. The qual¬ 
ity of the coal is variable, and the products are very 
much influenced by the degree of heat applied to the 
retorts in the distillation. 

CANDLE TAR. 

The tar and pitch resulting from the manufacture 








COAL. 


549 


of stearine have been employed for the production of 
oils. Large supplies have been imported from Eng¬ 
land to the United States, and sold under the names of 
“ grease,” and candle tar. The ordinary yield of crude 
oil from this material is 200 gallons per ton, of which 
seventy per cent, may be made into lamp oil, and ten 
per cent, into lubricating oil. The oils are excellent in 
quality, but heretofore the first distillation of the tar 
has been attended with inconvenience, as it “ foams up ” 
in the retorts, and the coke adheres very firmly to their 
sides. The price has varied from twenty-five to forty 
dollars per ton. * * * The distillate runs from 65° 

to 30° Beaume. There is a hard coke or pitch left in 
the still. 


SOUTH BOGHEAD COAL. 

Near Poole (England), there occurs a peculiar kind 
of shale, which has been sold as “ South Boghead 
Coal.” It abounds in the remains of fishes and Crus¬ 
tacea. It gives out forty-two per cent, of volatile mat¬ 
ter, and, therefore, has offered an object of trial to oil 
makers; but the oils made from this rock contain a 
greater number of the equivalents of carbon than those 
derived from coals, or bitumens, and with the ordinary 
density they smoke in the common lamp. It seems 
quite evident that the elements of the oil—carbon, 
hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, now composing the 
shale, in part, have been derived from fishes and other 
marine animals, and not from the vegetable kingdom 
as in the case of coal. 


BKOWN COAL. 

Singular beds of brown coal have been discovered 
on the Ouachita River, Arkansas, and at other places 


550 


PETROLIA. 


in that quarter. They contain the remains of sphag- 
neous plants and woody fibre. It appears that peat 
boirs have been overflown, or otherwise saturated with 
Petroleum, and hardened by time and oxydation. The 
oils distilled from this material abound in paraffin. It 
has the following composition in 100 parts: 

Volatile matters condensed into oils and ga3 


uncondensed. 60.10 

Fixed Carbon. 32.85 

Ash. 7.05 


100.00 

Crude oil at the rate of sixty-eight gallons per ton 
was obtained from it. It is semi-solid when the ther¬ 
mometer is at 80° Fahrenheit, and, besides lamp and 
lubricating oils, it produces 143 pounds of paraffin per ton. 

, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick produce a variety 
of shales, which at one time could be profitably used in 
the manufacture of oil. The “ Pictou shale ” of Nova 
Scotia, and the “ asphalte rock,” of Dorchester, New 
Brunswick, yield from twenty to thirty gallons of re¬ 
fined oil to the ton. A sample of cannel coal from 
Hunter’s River, Australia, gave a yield of sixty gallons 
of crude and forty gallons refined to the ton. Aus¬ 
tralia evidently abounds in bituminous substances. Mr. 
H. Id. Hall, of Sidney, N. S. \V., handed the author 
several fine samples of cannel coal, from the vicinity 
of Sidney, together with a small specimen of shale, 
which, in appearance and burning properties, resembled 
the Boghead coal. 

BITUMEN AND BITUMINOUS SANDS AND CLAYS. 

At the various localities mentioned in the preced- 






BITUMINOUS CLAYS AND SHALES. 


551 


ing chapter as Petroleum deposits, bitumen in different 
stages of solidity is generally found. 

The bitumen of Trinidad was the article from 
which the author first obtained “ kerosene,” which 
differs in some degree from “ coal oil.” The bitumen 
is of a grey color, somewhat brittle, but still yielding 
to the heat of the sun. A cargo of broken masses will 
consolidate in a ship’s hold in such a manner as to re¬ 
quire mining before it can be discharged. The follow¬ 
ing is the result of several trials made with reference 
to its application for the manufacture of oils : 

Specific gravity.0.882 gals, per ton. 

Crude Oil. 70 “ “ “ 

Refined Oil. 42 “ “ “ 

Lubricating Oil. 11 “ “ “ 

This bitumen varies in quality, owing to the sand and 
debris over which it flows. Taken from the lake itself, 
it would probably yield twice the above quantity of oil. 

A vein of bitumen has been discovered near Cairo, 
thirty miles east of Parkersburg, West Va. It is rep¬ 
resented as a perpendicular mass jutting out from the 
side of a hill 290 feet. The strata of the hill are nearly 
horizontal, and they are cut at right angles by the con¬ 
tinuous vein of the bituminous mineral, which is four 
feet eight inches in thickness. The position of the vein 
has been ascertained by the proprietors, who have sunk 
a shaft upon the line of the outcrop. A sensible 
description represents that it appears the hill has been 
split, a perpendicular chasm opened, and afterwards 
filled with asphaltum in a liquid state, and which has 
since hardened into a compact material. Coal never 
occurs in this manner ; but is always interstratified with 
its associate sandstones, shales, and fine clays. In all 






552 


PETEOLIA. 


its geological relations and characters, the Cairo de¬ 
posit is like the asphaltum of Albert County, New 
Brunswick. 

Some of the Cuba bitumens yield 120 gallons of 
crude oil to the ton. The finest varieties are used in 
making varnish. On the borders of the river Acarahy, 
forty miles south of Bahia, there are extensive beds 
of lime and clay saturated with bitumen, and capable 
of yielding oil in large quantities. The oils resemble 
those obtained from Trinidad or Cuba bitumen. 

The annexed table will afford some guide to the 
manufacturer regarding the proportion that crude oil 
bears to the volatile matters of the material, and also 
regarding the localities of coals, shales, bitumen, etc. 
The refined products of crude coal oil depend so much 
upon their treatment that it is difficult to express in 
figures their actual amount: 


Breckinridge Coal, as has been shown, gives 13 
gallons crude oil per ton 
From which we obtain 80 galls, illuminating oil. 

And 12 galls, paraffin oil. 

Making.92 in all of marketable oils. 

Boghead Coal yields 120 galls, crude oil per ton. 
From which we obtain 65 galls, illuminating oil. 

7 galls, paraffin oil. 

And 12 barrels paraffine. 

Equal to about.84 galls, of marketable oil. 

Yet by experimental distillation, Boghead coal yields 
more volatile matter and leaves less coke than the 
Breckinridge: 




553 


TABLE OF VOLATILE MATTER, &C. 


Locality. 

Volatile 

Matters. 

Coke. 

Yield of Crude Oil 
per Tou. 

England. 





Derbyshire. 

48.36 

53 

82 gallons. 

Wigan Cannel. 

44 

56 

74 

CC 

Liverpool. 

39 

61 

50 

cc 

Poole (shale). 

42 

58 

50 

44 

Newcastle. 

35 

65 

48 

Cl 

Scotland. 





Boghead. 

70.10 

29.90 

120 

cc 

Scotch Cannel. 

38 

62 

40 

u 

Leshmahago. 

51 

49 

96 

It 

Provincial. 





Albert Coal. New Brunswick. 

61.050 

30.65 

110 

1C 

Asphalte Bock, New Brunswick. 

43 

57 

64 

(1 

Pictou Shale, Nova Scotia..... 

27 

73 

47 

cc 

American. 





Breckinridge . 

61.30 

38.55 

130 

cc 

Erie Bailroad . 

35 

65 

47 

cc 

Newburg. 

38 

52 

72 

cc 

Falling Rock . , . 

50 

50 

80 


Pittsburgh. 

36 

64 

49 

1C 

Kanawha . 

46 

54 

71 


Elk Biver . 

41 

59 

60 

K 

Cannelton . 

34 

66 

86 

cc 

Coshocton, Ohio... . 

45 

64 

74 

cc 

Darlington, Pa . 

42 

58 

56 

1C 

Ouachita Biver, Arkansas . 

60 

40 

54 


Bitumen, etc., United States. 





Bitchie County. Virginia . 




(170 galls, per 

Pennsylvania. 





ton. 

Petroleum Springs, Alabama, ' 




( "From 75 to 85 

Georgia, Tenuessee, Kentucky, 

. 



} t 

eeut,. of 

Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, Penn- 




( lamn oil. 

sylvania, Canada . „ 






Cuba. 





Bitumen . 

71 

29 

120 gallons. 

Trinidad. 





Bitumen . 

38 

52 

70 

CC 

Canada, etc. 





Bitumen . 

70 

30 

118 

cc 

Illinois “ Gas Stone” . 

26 

Limestone. 

18 

|C 

California . 

70 

30 

116 

1C 

Brazil . 

78 

22 



Peat . 

71 

25 

6 to 8 “ 


Peat has been distilled for oils in Ireland, and in 
Kildare the extensive works of the Irish Peat Company 
have been in operation for that purpose for some time. 
One ton of peat yields on an average : 


24 















































554 


PETROLIA. 


Liquids (not oily).65 gallons 

Tar.6 “ 

From which are produced: 

Lamp oil. 2 

Lubricating oil. 1 gallon 

Paraffin.3 barrels 

Ammonia. 3 “ 

Acetic acid.51 “ 

Naphtha. 8 “ 


And 25 per cent, of charcoal. 

Thus far, however, peat has not been a successful 
competitor of coal, bitumen, or other more compact car¬ 
bonaceous materials. 

VARIETIES A1STD PRODUCTS OF PETROLEUM. 

The oil wells of Pennsylvania yield generally 
greenish oils of rather unpleasant odors. Their spe¬ 
cific gravity ranges from .820 to .782 or from proof 40° 
to proof 48° Beaume. The oil by distillation yields 
from seventy-five to eighty-five per cent, of a lamp oil 
which should not vaporize and inflame under a tem¬ 
perature of from 110° to 116° Fahrenheit. A very 
heavy lubricating oil is obtained from many of the wells 
in Pennsylvania and Ohio, of specific gravities .880 to 
• 860, or from proof 28° to 32° Beaume. 

An oil -was obtained from the wells of the Taren- 
tum Oil and Coal Company, of the specific gravity of 
.795, or 45° Beaume. It is of a dark amber color, and 
will burn in lamps for a time without being refined. 
It yields five per cent, of naptha by distillation, and 
ninety per cent, of oil. It is used by woollen man¬ 
ufacturers instead of lard oil. 

The Canada Petroleum is of specific gravity from 
.880 to .860, or proof 28° to 32° Beaume. It is a dark- 
colored and offensive oil. The odor can only be re- 










VARIETIES AND PRODUCTS OF PETROLEUM. 555 

moved by extra distillation. It yields more lamp oil 
than the Pennsylvania, as it will burn in a lamp at 
proof 36° Beaume, or specific gravity .838. 

W e take the following account of the manufacture 
of illuminating oils from various mineral substances 
from the report of the United States Revenue Commis¬ 
sioners, made in 1866 : 

“ The most recent observations, in July and August, 
1865, showed the following facts: In North Wales 
and Staffordshire, the material used was the cannel coal. 
Some fifteen or twenty mines and oil works were 
visited there. The amount of capital employed was 
quite large. The wages paid miners were two dollars 
per day, equivalent to about fifty cents per ton of coal. 
The best cannel coal was worth three to four dollars 
per ton ; common coal, on the ground, one dollar. The 
coal was usually broken fine and retorted; the crude 
oil was treated with chemicals, and subjected to several 
distillations. The product was an oil, nearly, but not 
quite, equal to our best refined, worth from two to five 
cents per gallon less. The supply of material was not 
limited; the total cost of production of the refined oil 
was Is. 3 d. (thirty cents), per imperial gallon, or less.* 
The selling price, at wholesale, was Is. 6 cl. to Is. 10c?. 
(thirty-six to forty-four cents), package included, de¬ 
livered in London or Liverpool. 

“ In Scotland, the manufacture was very extensive, 
both from Boghead coal and the shales. Mr. Young 
had recently bought a large tract of shale lands, at an 
outlay of from $500,000 to $1,000,000. The shales, 
though yielding less oil, were said to be equally profit¬ 
able with the cannel coals, owing to the greater ease 
with which they were reduced, and the greater purity 


* The imperial gallon is l-pro' American gallons. 


556 


PETKOLIA. 


of the product. The shales were supposed to be inex¬ 
haustible. Manufacturers were in high spirits, and un¬ 
doubtedly making money fast. The total cost of the 
purified oil there was about the same as in Wales— 
thirty cents per gallon or under. The increase in pro¬ 
duction since 1861 was very remarkable, and it was 
evident that the business had not been injured by the 
large shipments from this country, but had assumed a per¬ 
manent and lucrative character. On the continent the 
same increase in the business, and the same evidences of 
prosperity, were visible. The chief centres of oil produc¬ 
tion were about Autun, in France, from the shales and 
schists; about Bonn, in Switzerland, in the depart¬ 
ments of Halle and Mersberg, in Saxony, and in Bo¬ 
hemia, from the shales and brown coal. The supply 
of these materials was very great. 

“At one mine and factory, at Weissenfels, 500 la¬ 
borers were employed. The highest wages paid for 
skilled labor, mechanics and artisans was seventy-five 
cents per day; for miners and common laborers, thirty 
to forty cents. Much of the work was done by women 
at still lower rates. The bed of brown coal at this 
mine was sixty feet thick. The average cost of produc¬ 
tion of the several grades of refined oil did not exceed 
twenty-five cents per gallon; the selling prices at the 
neighboring railway stations were as follows : 

“First quality, ten Prussian dollars* per 100 Ger¬ 
man pounds ; second quality, nine and a half Prussian 
dollars per 100 German pounds; third quality, thirty- 
three cents (gold) per gallon. 

“ Or reduced to American money and gallons : 

“ First quality, forty-one and a half cents (gold) per 
gallon; second quality, thirty-nine and a half cents 

“ * The rix dollar or thaler of Prussia and the northern States of 
Germany is equal to sixty-nine cents in American coin. 


VARIETIES AND PRODUCTS OF PETROLEUM. 557 


(gold) per gallon; third quality, tliirty-tliree cents 
(gold) per gallon. 

“The production of coal in 1863 and 1864, in the 
two small districts of Mersberg and Halle, were as fol¬ 
lows : 

“ 1863, Mersberg, 12,255,365 German tons; 1864, 
Mersberg, 14,421,551 German tons; 1863, Halle (No. 
of mines, 371), 24,149,214 German tons; 1864, Halle, 
(No. of mines, 371), 26,260,856 German tons. 

“ The number of miners employed in the 371 mines 
of Halle, in 1864, was 11,219. A German ton is 331^ 
pounds avoirdupois. The total product of Mersberg 
and Halle, in 1864, was 6,015,184 American tons of 
2,240 pounds each, worth, at three dollars per ton, $18,- 
045,552. 

“ Twelve oil factories near the town of Weissen- 
fels in Halle, produced in 1864 : 

Crude tar.55,000,000 gnls. 

Burning Oil.15,000,000 

Refined paraffin. 3,500,000 

Lubricating oil. 2,000,000 

“ Reduced to our avoirdupois weight—100 German 
jiounds being equal to 110 T /xro pounds avoirdupois—the 
figures would be: 

POUNDS AVOIRDUPOIS. 


Crude tar.60,500,000 

Burning oil.16,500,000 

Refined paraffin. 3,850,000 

Lubricating oil. 2,200,000 


“ In regard to the extent of the brown coal de¬ 
posits, they are pronounced to be inexhaustible. A 
single company, 4 The Brown Coal Works,’ at Weischen^ 
in their report, dated July 1, 1865, estimate the amount 
of coal in the ground owned by them at 95,900,000 Ger- 











558 


PETEOLIA. 


man tons, and their lands comprised but a minute por¬ 
tion of the territory in which this coal is found in pay¬ 
ing quantities. 

“ Taking into account, also, the product and supply 
of material in other parts of Saxony, in Bohemia, in 
Switzerland, in France, and in the north of Italy, it will 
be seen the witnesses have good grounds for the opin¬ 
ion they express, that the foreign production of oil from 
minerals will be a permanent and paying business under 
any contingency, even supposing that our oil should 
be produced at the wells at a nominal price, and sold at 
a very low figure to our dealers for shipment. 

In France the production from the shales is being 
very much extended, and large investments of capital 
are being made in that direction. There are also ex¬ 
tensive refineries near Paris and at Marseilles, where 
they refine our crude oil, when it is sufficiently low in 
price. When prices advance beyond their views, they 
use the crude oil from the shales and coals. The 
French tariff duty of three francs per 100 kilogrammes 
on refined, crude being admitted duty free, lessens the 
importation of refined oil.* The best refined oil was 
selling at these refineries at from sixty-five to seventy- 
two francs per 100 kilogrammes. It advanced subse¬ 
quently to about eighty. These prices would be equiv¬ 
alent to from thirty-two to thirty-eight cents, gold, per 
American gallon. 

“ The quality of oil produced on the continent is 

“ * Both crude and refined are admitted free of duty in all other 
European countries, so far as the Commission is informed. The duty 
in France on oils of Petrole and schiste, rectified and refined, is as 
follows: Per 100 kilogrammes (221 pounds avoirdupois), from the coun¬ 
try of production, by land, five francs (ninety-three cents); by sea, 
in French vessels, three francs (55.8 cents); in foreign vessels, five 
francs; from any other than the country of production, five francs, 
whether in French or foreign vessels. 


VARIETIES AND PRODUCTS OF PETROLEUM. 559 

good, but somewhat inferior to ours. The odor is 
stronger, and, containing more carbon, it burns with 
more smoke; yet it can be produced so cheaply that 
our merchants must always expect a sharp competition, 
even if they should not be driven out of the markets 
of Europe. 

“ The conditions there are most favorable to cheap 
production, very low wages, very low interest, and 
abundant capital, as well as abundant raw material. 
Add to these the advantage of being in the midst of 
the dense oil-consuming population, where we seek our 
customers, and it becomes evident that the prospects 
of our foreign trade are not such as to warrant the con¬ 
tinuance of any heavy burdens upon it. It is also evi¬ 
dent that not only the American Petroleum , but the 
foreign Petroleums also might cease to be obtained ', and 
yet the markets of the world could be amply supplied 
by the products of the foreign coals , shales , and schists 

Petroleum, similar in all general respects to that of 
the United States, has been found in Peru, and Ameri¬ 
can enterprise is already engaged in its development. 
In 1864, Messrs. Geo. H. Bissell and James Bishop, of 
the city of New York, leased of Don Diego Llama his 
estate of Mancora, consisting of about 4,500,000 acres. 
A company called the Peruvian Petroleum Company 
was formed, with a capital stock of $5,000,000. Ope¬ 
rations were soon after commenced by the company on 
the northern portion of the tract, at Zorritos, twenty 
miles south of the Tumbez river, near the southern 
terminus of the equatorial rain belt. This portion of 
the property is easily accessible to Lumbez, which is 
connected with Paita to the south, and Panama to the 
north, by steamer, three times a month. The works 
are immediately on the coast. The company have a 
full force of experienced Oil Creek miners employed. 


560 


PETROLIA. 


Several wells have been drilled with good success, and 
several cargoes of oil shipped by the company. In one 
well, 531 feet deep, the following is the order in which 
the rocks were found : 

Soapstone and slates, 

Sandrock and slates, 

Conglomerate limestone, 

Conglomerate rocks, 

Hydrate of Iron, or Reddle, 

Cretaceous sandstone, 

Carboniferous slate, 

Gravel, in which the oil was found. 

The oil where struck seemed to be in veins, similar 
to those of water under the earth. Oil was met with 
at a depth of eighteen feet from the surface. 

The wide region of Petroleum, or Rock Oil, so far 
as traced on the North American continent, extends 
from the southeast portion of the Ohio Valley to the 
Georgian Bay of Lake Huron, in Upper Canada, and 
from the Alleghenies to the western limits of the bitu¬ 
minous coal fields of the Missouri river. It has been 
found in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, 
Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Kansas, Illinois, 
Texas, Louisiana, and California. This general state¬ 
ment does not, of course, imply that Petroleum is to be 
met with everywhere throughout the vast territory thus 
vaguely defined. On the contrary, it has been found 
only in scattered localities within the above described 
limits. 

Of the productive oil fields the best known and 
hitherto most abounding one is a broad area embracing 
a part of Canada West, from Lake Huron to Lake On¬ 
tario, portions of western New York, western Pennsyl¬ 
vania, the southeastern half of Ohio, all of northwestern 


VARIETIES AND PRODUCTS OF PETROLEUM. 5G1 

Virginia, and the eastern portion of Kentucky. It is 
stated that the geographical centre of this wide region, 
so profusely abounding in Petroleum, is at or near Ma¬ 
rietta, in Ohio, and the superficial extent of it cannot 
be less than 100,000 square miles. 

Geologists familiar with the great Petroleum tract, 
entertain no doubt that the rocky strata within its lim¬ 
its, are, in almost every square mile of it, impregnated 
with the greasy fluid and its gassy adjuncts, but not 
everywhere in the same degree. A merely superficial 
exploration of the country shows that the subterranean 
oil and gases are distributed very unequally. 

The general surface indications whereby Petroleum 
manifests itself, have been previously described. They 
are so peculiar as so be unmistakable. The quantity 
to be obtained can only be ascertained by drilling to a 
depth sufficient to reach the strata of rock in which it 
is found. 


24* 


CHAPTER XVII. 


THE PRINCIPAL TOWNS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA OIL REGION. 

Oil City, from the natural advantages presented by 
its location, has been from the commencement of the 
business the principal shipping point of the Petroleum 
Region. It is located on both sides of Oil Creek, at its 
junction with the Allegheny river. A small settlement 
was made on the present site of Oil City about a quar¬ 
ter of a century previous to the oil discovery. It had 
then a grist-mill, an iron furnace, store, warehouse, hotel, 
and a steamboat landing. This settlement flourished for 
a short time only, and then fell into rapid decay. A 
store was established here, in 1852, by Mr. John Hope- 
well. 

The first settler on that portion of territory on which 
the western part of our city is located, was Mr. Francis 
Haliday, who purchased the land from the Government. 
The amount of this purchase embraced several hundred 
acres. Subsequently a greater portion of this tract was 
sold to Dr. John Kevins, who in turn sold it to Plum¬ 
mer & Drum, of Franklin. These gentlemen afterward 
sold it to the Michigan Rock Oil Company, who, in 1860 
laid the first foundation of the present city. 

The land on the east side of the Creek, which is now 
owned by the United Petroleum Farms Association, of 
New York, having been purchased by them in 1865, of 
Graff, Hasson & Co., originally belonged to Cornplanter, 
the renowned chief of the Seneca tribe of Indians, one 
of the famous Six Rations. Congress presented him with 


PRINCIPAL TOWNS OF PENN. OIL REGION. 563 

a grant of some three hundred acres of this property, 
for distinguished services rendered hv him during the 
wars of the Revolution. Like many of his prototypes 
of the present day, Cornplanter was addicted to a free 
indulgence in “fire water.” In one of his drunken frol¬ 
ics, as stated, he sold this land for a mere trifle. 

The first commencement of the present town, as be¬ 
fore stated, was in 1860, soon after the striking of 
Drake's well. The town increased rapidly with the 
growth of the oil business, and in 1865 its population 
was estimated at eight to ten thousand inhabitants. At 
the present date we should estimate the number at about 
five to seven thousand. There are four churches, Pres¬ 
byterian, Methodist, Episcopal, United Presbyterian and 
Catholic, also a Baptist and Episcopal Congregation, who 
have erected no church buildings as yet; a public library, 
two large school-houses, aflording ample room for one 
thousand pupils, both graded, many elegant private resi¬ 
dences, hotels, stores, machine shops, &c., ample for its 
own and surrounding population. A substantial iron 
bridge over Oil Creek unites the eastern and western 
portions of the City ; the Railroad bridge of the A. & G. 
W. Railway spans the Creek at its mouth, and a fine 
wooden bridge has been built over the Allegheny river, 
connecting Oil City and Venango City. The cost of 
these bridges in the aggregate was about 8225,000. 
The Meadville and Franklin Branch of the A. & G. W. 
Railway, has its terminus at Oil City, and was the first 
railroad extended through the borough limits, commenc¬ 
ing to run to Oil City in March, 1866. The Oil City & 
Pithole Railroad was completed about the same time, 
also having its terminus here. The Farmers’ Railroad, 
extending from Oil City to Petroleum Centre, was pro¬ 
jected and finished early in 186V. The Oil City and 
Pithole Railroad connected with the Warren & Frank- 


564 


PETEOLIA. 


lin Railroad, which had its terminus at Irvington, con¬ 
necting at that place with the Philadelphia and Erie 
Railroad. The Farmers’ Railroad, connected at Petro¬ 
leum Centre with the Oil Creek Railroad. Subsequent¬ 
ly, the Warren and Franklin Railroad Company, by pur¬ 
chase and otherwise, obtained control of the Farmers’ 
and Oil City and Pithole roads, as well as the right to 
run over the Oil Creek road, the latter having its ter¬ 
minus at Corry, connecting at that place with the A. 
& G. W. and Philadelphia and Erie roads, the whole 
now being consolidated under the name of the Oil Creek 
and Allegheny River Railroad. In January, 1868, the 
extension of the Allegheny Valley Railroad from the 
mouth of Mahoning to Oil City, was completed and has 
its terminus at Venango City. The Cranberry Coal 
Company also built a road from their coal mines, some 
seven miles distant, to Oil City,in 1867. The Jamestown 
and Franklin Railroad are extending their line to Oil 
City. In addition to the above railroads centering and 
terminating at Oil City, the Allegheny River and Oil 
Creek, at different seasons of the year, furnish means of 
transportation, cheap and ample. All these roads have 
direct communications with the principal railroads of the 
country, in all directions, and with the principal cities, 
east, west, north, and south. Oil City is the headquarters 
of those engaged in the Petroleum business. 

Oil City was erected into a borough in the spring of 
1862, and after the Charter of incorporation was obtain¬ 
ed, the first borough election held. The following were 
the officers chosen: Burgess Capt. Wm. Hasson; Coun- 
cilmen, Chas. Robson, F. M. Bishop, Chas. Haines, T. B. 
Hoover; Constable, C. E. Hueston. W. R. Johns was 
appointed Clerk to the Council, and Hugh M‘Clintock, 
Street Commissioner. Notwithstanding the many 
serious checks from fire and flood, the growth of Oil 


PRINCIPAL TOWNS OF PENN. OIL REGION. 565 


City has been steady, and it gives promise of being one of 
the most permanent, as it is already one of the most im¬ 
portant, commercial towns of the Oil Region. The amount 
of iron tankage at this point is half a million barrels, 
being about half the entire amount of iron tankage of 
the Oil Region. In addition to its shipping facilities, 
there are a number of small producing wells within the 
borough limits, and the City is surrounded on all sides 
with territory that has proved highly productive, even 
with the slight development had. The rapidly increas¬ 
ing business is sufficient to build up in a few years a 
considerable city ; with the development of its rich sur¬ 
rounding oil field, this result will be greatly hastened. 

Venango City, —Just opposite, the present terminus 
of the Allegheny Valley Railroad, is a thrifty town, lo¬ 
cated on portions of the Bastian, Downing and Lee farms. 
In the spring of 1863, Mr. Wm. L. Lay, formerly of Cin¬ 
cinnati, Ohio, purchased the Bastian Farm, consisting of 
eighty acres. Subsequently it was incorporated into a 
stock company, styled the Laytonia Town & Oil Com¬ 
pany, laid off into town lots, and a considerable town 
built up, called Laytonia. In the spring of 1864, Mr. 
Jas. Bleakley and others, of Franklin, purchased the 
Downing farm adjoining the Bastian. This property 
was afterward formed into a stock company, called the 
Imperial Oil Company, of Philadelphia. A portion of 
this property was also laid off into town lots, and a 
thriving town called Imperial built up. Subsequently 
both towns were consolidated under the name of Venan. 
go City. The consolidated towns contain a population 
of from two to three thousand inhabitants. It has one 
church building, a public school-house, and some elegant 
private residences, several stores and hotels, and in 
former years was regarded as excellent oil territory. 


566 


PETROLIA. 


Good wells were obtained on this farm in 1860, by 
Phillips, Frew & Co. 

M‘Clintockville, Rouseville, and Petroleum Cen¬ 
tre, are small towns along the valley of OilCreek, between 
Oil City and Titusville, projected during the different 
years of the petroleum development, and are located on 
the line of the Oil Creek and Allegheny river Railroad. 
All of them are surrounded by productive territory, and 
have but little business outside of oil shipping, and the 
supplying of such articles as are needed by the oil oper¬ 
ators. Petroleum Centre is the largest of these, located 
in the midst of jwoductive oil farms, and is an important 
shipping point. It has two church buildings, a banking 
office, a number of stores, hotels, and machine shops, and 
contains about two thousand inhabitants. It has also an 
excellent daily paper, “ The Petroleum Centre Record. 

Oleopolis, at the mouth of Pithole Creek, on the 
Allegheny river, was laid out in 1865, and for the first 
few months increased in number of buildings and popula¬ 
tion rapidly. It is a place of no importance now, having 
gone into decay. 

Tionesta, just above, on the oj)posite side of the 
Allegheny, is a thriving village of about five hundred 
inhabitants, many fine private residences, several stores, 
hotels, and churches. It is the county seat of Forest 
county. A new court-house and jail is about completed. 
Two newspapers, the Journal and the Press , representing 
each of the political parties, are published here. There 
is also a banking office. Tionesta Creek here debouches 
into the Allegheny. 

Tideoute, in Warren county, just above Tionesta, 
on the Allegheny river, is the centre of an excellent oil 


PRINCIPAL TOWNS OF PENN. OIL REGION. 567 

producing region. It is one among the oldest towns in 
this part of Pennsylvania, is well built, has several 
churches, school-liouses, hotels, stores, banking office, 
machine shops, and a weekly newspaper, “ The Journal? 
It contains about 2,500 inhabitants. 

Franklin, the County seat of Venango county, is 
pleasantly located on French Creek, at its confluence 
with the Allegheny river, on the south side of the former 
and the west side of the latter. The French fort of 
Venango was built here in 1754, but was abandoned by 
them in 1859. The fort was situated on the bank of 
the Allegheny river, some thirty rods below the present 
bridge. In 1765, a large party of Senecas by treachery 
gained admission into Fort Venango, then in possession 
of the English, massacred the garrison, tortured Lieu¬ 
tenant Gordon, the commandant, over a slow fire, and 
burned the Fort. In 1787, a company of United States 
soldiers arrived at what is now Franklin, from Fort Pitt, 
for the purpose of erecting a fort to protect the country 
in its early settlement. The Fort was built, and a gar¬ 
rison consisting of one hundred men kept in it until 
1796, when a new fort was erected at the mouth of 
French Creek. The first of these forts was called Fort 
Franklin, and the other the “ Old Garrison.’’ This sec¬ 
ond fort was simply a strong building, surrounded by 
pickets, and was garrisoned by soldiers until 1803, when 
they were withdrawn. 

The town was laid out in the year 1795, by Gen. 
William Irvine and Andrew Ellicott, the commissioners 
apj:>ointed by the State under the act of assembly, on a 
tract reserved by the State for a County-town; was 
surveyed and laid out into inlots, out-lots, and out- 
tracts. It was organized and constituted a Borough in 
the year 1829, with Judge Win. Conelly, Burgess, to 


568 


rETROLlA. 


whom we are indebted for the items of its early history. 
Daring subsequent years, it became a thriving town, 
and at one time had a rolling-mill that manufactured 
eight tons of bar-iron and nails per day, from ore ob¬ 
tained in Venango County. It has assumed its chief 
importance since the Petroleum development, and has 
largely increased in general prosperity and population. 
It is not only admirably located, but comprises many 
excellent buildings. Among these are several brick 
blocks for business houses. The private residences, of 
which there is a great number, are exceedingly tasteful 
in style, and great attention is paid to the ornamenta¬ 
tion of the grounds surrounding them. There is 
a sufficient number of business houses, machine-shops, 
foundries, one large flour-mil], &c., to accommodate 
the wants of the community and surrounding country. 
A new Court-house is in process of erection at the 
present date, the old one being totally inadequate to 
meet the public requirements. Several church build¬ 
ings have been erected during the last few years. 
Among these are the Episcopal, Presbyterian, and 
Methodist churches. These are built of brick and 
stone, and rare good judgment has been displayed in 
their design and construction. The three buildings 
alluded to will compare favorably with any of the kind 
in the State. A three story brick school-house has 
been built during the last two years, at a cost of $45,- 
000, and has ample accommodations for one thousand 
to twelve hundred pupils. Two weekly newspapers, 
the Spectator and Citizen , representing the two great 
political parties of the country, are published here. 
Franklin is the terminus of the Jamestown & Franklin 
Railroad. The Meadville branch of the Atlantic & 
Great Western passes through the borough limits, and 
the Allegheny Valley Railroad along the bank of the 


PRINCIPAL TOWNS OF PE»NN. OIL REGION. 569 

river on the opposite side. The town has lately been 
incorporated with a city charter, has already a large 
trade, and bids fair to become a healthy inland city. 
The population is estimated at from 7,000 to 8,000. 

Titusville, one of the principal cities of the Oil 
Region, is in Crawford County, at the headwaters of 
Oil Creek, one mile from the boundary line of the Ve¬ 
nango and Crawford Counties. It is at the extreme 
northeast corner of Crawford County, twenty-eight 
miles from the junction of the Philadelphia & Erie, and 
the Atlantic & Great Western Railroads at Corry. It 
owes all its importance to the Petroleum development, 
and has been built up to its present proportions by the 
business. The prosperity of the place dates from the 
completion of the Oil Creek Railroad, the only one 
that runs through it. Previous to the oil discovery, it 
was a village of one hundred and fifty inhabitants. At 
the present time it has an estimated population of about 
10,000. The City is built mainly upon the flats, the 
suburbs reaching to and up the hill-side on the north. 
Crossing the creek on the south side are also consid- 
erable improvements. The general bearing of Oil Creek 
is south by east. Titusville was first incorporated as a 
borough in 1847, by a special act of Assembly, with 
Joseph L. Chase as Burgess, Wm. Barnsdall, S. S. 
Bates, J. K. Kerr and G. C. Pettis, council; three 
school directors, one constable, &c. This organization 
continued until 1861, at which time it was reorganized 
under the general act of 1834, with a burgess, six 
councilmen, six school directors, and all other officers 
\endered requisite by the charter. It was incorporated 
as a city in 1867. 

The business portion of the city is built of brick, 
and the streets paved. The residences of the wealthy 


570 


PETROLIA. 


class of citizens are elegant in style and finish. There 
are seven churches, one large public school, graded, and 
an ample fire department. There are also several 
private schools, one literary society and reading-room, 
and a board of trade, six or eight first-class hotels, and 
a score or so of smaller ones, four or five public halls, 
two national banks, several machine shops and 
foundries, a paper mill; fifteen or twenty practising 
physicians, nine or ten lawyers, a Mayor, police, and all 
the necessary adjuncts of a modern city. It has two 
daily newspapers, the Daily Morning Herald , and Ti¬ 
tusville Morning Star , and one weekly, the Long Loll , 
published by the pupils of the Soldier’s Orphan Asylum 
located here. The Morning Herald was established 
several years since, is a standard authority upon oil mat¬ 
ters, and is conducted with decided ability. 

Its citizens are noted as being the most enterprising 
in the Oil Region, and among them are many of the 
most successful operators. In 18C5 and 1866, there 
were twelve refineries in the borough limits, with a 
capacity of one hundred and forty to six hundred and 
forty barrels each of refined oil per week. Many of 
these have since been discontinued or are idle. The 
stores and business houses are well filled with goods, 
and are generally first-class establishments. The de¬ 
velopment of the new oil field at Pleasantville, six 
miles from Titusville, with which it is connected by an 
excellent plank road, has given a new impetus to the 
former place. Titusville is the headquarters of the Oil 
Pipe Companies, and bids fair to retain its position as 
one of the most thriving inland cities of our State. 

Meadville is a well built, thriving city of eight 
to ten thousand inhabitants; is the County seat of 
Crawford County, and one of the principal inlets for 


PRINCIPAL TOWNS OF PENN. OIL REGION. 571 

travel to the Oil Region, being, like Titusville, on the 
border of the present developed portion of the Oil Re¬ 
gion. The city is beautifully located on a tributary of 
French Creek, thirty miles from Franklin. It is noted 
as a seat of learning, having an excellent system of 
public schools and two colleges—one, the Allegheny, 
belonging to the Methodist, the other, a theological 
school, to the Unitarian denomination. The Atlantic 
& Great Western Railway have their headquarters 
here, also their principal work-shops, which have added 
materially to the prosperity of the place. A large por¬ 
tion of the trade comes from the Oil Region, and the 
city is surrounded by a good farming country. It is 
well supplied with all the business branches requisite, 
banks and banking houses, three newspapers, viz.: the 
Republican (daily and weekly), Journal and Democrat 
(weekly), churches and schools. Its hotels are numer¬ 
ous, and the M‘Henry House is one of the best hotels 
in the country. 

Corry, in Erie County, situated at the point where 
the Atlantic & Great Western Railway intersects the 
Philadelphia & Erie, and the Oil Creek Railroad ter¬ 
minates, is a flourishing city of about the same size as 
Titusville, and has been built up since the oil discovery. 
It has two banks, several churches, numerous hotels, 
public schools, one large and several small oil refineries, 
quite a number of manufacturing establishments, and 
two newspapers, both weekly. The inhabitants are 
enterprising, and the town is one of the most thriving 
in the surrounding country. 

Warren, the County seat of Warren County, like 
Corry and Meadville, is on the outskirts of the Oil Re¬ 
gion, fifty miles from Oil City by river. The Philadel¬ 
phia & Erie Railroad passes through it. It is a hand- 


572 


PETKOLIA. 


some town of about four thousand inhabitants. It is 
well located, has the usual public buildings, churches, 
school-houses, a bank, and two newspapers. 

Pith ole, one of the creations of the oil develop¬ 
ments, located on Pithole Creek, has been previously 
described. But a small portion of the original city 
remains. 

Such is a brief description of the principal cities and 
towns located in, and bordering on the Pennsylvania 
Oil Region. Before the oil discovery by Col. Drake, 
in 1868, the older towns were generally small villages, 
and owe their growth to the Petroleum development. 
The number of cities projected by sanguine speculators 
in the flush times of 1864 and 1865, were legion. Be¬ 
yond a few board shanties, in hopeless decay, nothing 
now remains of them. 


CHAPTER XVIII. 


METHOD OF DEFINING, AND THE OIL REFINING INTEREST. 

The refining of Petroleum, so as to prepare it for 
illuminating purposes, is a new branch of industry 
created during the last eight years, employing at the 
present time an investment of probably not less than 
thirty to forty millions of dollars, and requiring several 
thousand operatives in its manufacture. The crude oil 
is refined for the purpose of ridding it of the smoke, its 
offensive smell, and to render it non-explosive. The 
average percentage of the refined article obtained is 
about 60 to 70 per cent., or two barrels of refined to 
three of crude. Great success has crowned the efforts 
of the refiner in all these respects, the refined article 
being rendered colorless as water, free from offensive 
odor or smoke, and as safe from explosion as any illum¬ 
inator known. The business has been greatly system 
atized within the last few years. 

At the commencement of the Petroleum business, 
refineries were erected in all the principal cities and 
towns of the country, and a large number in the Oil 
Region. They have proved unprofitable for the most 
part, save in a few commercial centres like Pittsburgh 
and Cleveland, where the refining interest is now mainly 
centred. At these two points is now manufactured the 
great bulk of the article, the foreign supply being ob¬ 
tained from the refineries of these two cities. The 
crude oil is purchased at the place of production by 
agents of the refiners, or more frequently by one of the 


574 


PETEOLIA. 


firm, resident here for the purpose. A number of these 
refineries are vast in their proportions and capacity, 
costing a quarter of a million of dollars, and manufac¬ 
turing from five hundred to three thousand barrels of 
refined oil per week, besides the other products derived 
from the article. 

In the opinion of the writer, the place of production 
is the proper location for the refineries, and we be¬ 
lieve it eventually will be. The reasons for locating 
them at Pittsburgh and Cleveland, in the first instance, 
is accounted for by the lack of proper facilities of trans¬ 
portation in the Oil Region. This great want has been 
amply supplied, and with the systematized facilities now 
offered by the Oil Region, its advantages as a manu¬ 
facturing point for the product are certainly apparent. 

Several parties claim to have been the first to in¬ 
troduce refined Petroleum for public use. From the 
best evidence before us, to Mr. Samuel M. Kier, of 
Pittsburgh, is due to a great extent the honor of its 
first utilization and introduction for public use, as 
an illuminator. This gentleman gave his attention to 
the matter as early as 1849. Being extensively engaged 
in boring for salt at or near Tarentum in Allegheny 
County, a few miles above Pittsburgh, he obtained a 
considerable quantity of Petroleum from some of his 
wells, it coming out of the same with the salt water. A 
quantity of it was sent to Philadelphia for analyzation. 
The report of the chemist was favorable for its use as 
an illuminator, provided a suitable lamp could be devis¬ 
ed for burning it. This was soon supplied. Mr. Kier 
erected a small refinery and commenced its manufac¬ 
ture. From 1850 to 1855, he disposed of all the Petro¬ 
leum he could obtain from his own and the neighboring 
salt wells, selling the oil and the lamps for burning it. 
This oil was sold at from one dollar to a dollar and a 


METHOD OF REFINING-REFINING INTEREST. 575 

half per gallon. Other parties, in the mean time, had 
been experimenting upon Petroleum as an illuminator, 
and their experiments had proved successful. Hence, at 
the time of the striking of the first oil well by Col. 
Drake, in 1859, the value of the article, as an illumina¬ 
tor at least, had been satisfactorily demonstrated by the 
practical and scientific men of the country. 

Strange to relate, the best lamps furnished at the 
commencement of its use as an illuminator, were ma¬ 
nufactured at Vienna, in Austria. American inventors, 
however, soon greatly improved upon the models thus 
furnished. 

The manufacture of coal oil from Cannel Coal, had 
been commenced some time prior to this date, and large 
refineries were erected at various points. The most 
important of these were the Kerosene Works, in New 
York ; the works of Samuel Downer, of Boston ; and a 
large establishment at Maysville, Kentucky. The sup¬ 
plies of the two first establishments were obtained from 
Nova-Scotia, and consisted of the substance known as 
Albert Coal. Breckinridge County furnished ample 
supply for the establishment at Maysville. Several other 
refineries for distillation of illuminating oil from coal 
were in operation in different parts of the country, and 
about the time of the Petroleum discovery this bid fair 
to become an immense business. A double distillation 
is required for coal oil, rendering the cost of this pro¬ 
cess far greater than in the case of Petroleum. The 
crude article could also be obtained much cheaper than 
coal. The cheap rate at which refined Petroleum could 
be furnished, the seemingly inexhaustible supply of the 
crude product, soon overshadowed coal oil. In a very 
short time its manufacture became unprofitable, and 
Petroleum reigned supreme as an illuminator. 

The process of refining Petroleum we will essay to 


576 


PETKOLIA. 


describe in general terms, many minor improvements 
being constantly making in the different details, and 
even the general plan is varied or modified to suit the 
quality of oil under treatment. We are indebted for 
much of the following to Messrs. Hill & Thumm, pro¬ 
prietors of the Economy Oil -works, Oil City, Pa., who 
are among our best practical refiners : 

The first process in distillation is to pump the oil 
from the crude oil tanks into the stills. The stills range 
in capacity all the way from ten barrels to one thousand 
barrels each, in the different refineries. These stills are 
made of heavy boiler-plate iron, capable of withstanding 
a high degree of heat. The liquid, or oil, is then sub¬ 
jected to a degree of heat necessary to bring it up to the 
distillation point, which commences at 180 degrees, in¬ 
creasing as the distillation progresses, to 1,000 degrees 
Fahrenheit. From twenty-four to thirty-six hours are re- 
quired to “ run off” the charge or contents of a one-hun¬ 
dred-barrel still, after the fire is started in the fur¬ 
naces under the still or retort. As the oil evaporates 
under such powerful heat, it passes from the retort into 
condensers attached to same,— these consisting gene¬ 
rally of long iron tubes or pipes. The condensing pipes 
are immersed in a current of cold water, which causes 
the vapor to return to a liquid condition. On emerg¬ 
ing from the tube, the separation of its products is 
made. The first product of distillation is gasoline, of 
seventy to seventy-two degrees, Beaume. The second 
product is Benzine, which is 62° to 65°, Beaume. At 
this stage, the oil has a bluish white color, instead of its 
natural dark green. 

From the condenser it next passes into a receiving 
tank, the oil in this stage being called “ distillate.Out 
of this it is transferred, -without any further change, 
into the “ treating tank, ” or “ agitator.” This is of 


METHODS OF REFINING-REFINING INTEREST. 577 

sufficient size to allow tlie mixing of the oil thoroughly 
with sulphuric acid (oil of vitriol). The quantity of acid 
used is usually from one to two per cent. This is 
poured in, and the whole mass stirred or agitated by 
means of iron paddles, or a blast of air in the bottom of 
the vessel, for about ten or fifteen minutes. The object 
of this process is to separate from the oil all foreign in¬ 
gredients, such as tar, dirt, or other impurities that 
may have become mingled with it. These settle down 
on the concave bottom of the vessel by their own great¬ 
er specific gravity, and are removed separately. 

The oil is next washed with clean water, and agit¬ 
ated afresh for a period of fifteen or twenty minutes, 
this process being repeated several times, so as to re¬ 
move from it every particle of the acid. After washing, 
it is treated with a solution of caustic soda, standing at 
12 to 15 degrees Beaume, in the proportion of one half 
to one per cent. The alkali gives the oil brilliancy, and 
removes every particle of acid that may have remained 
in it. Next, it is drawn off into the “bleachers” or 
“ settling tubs, ” which are large shallow wooden tubs 
metallic lined. The liquid has now a whitish or bluish 
white color. Weighed by the hydrometer, this instru¬ 
ment is found to rest at the point marked forty-five to 
forty-seven degrees on the scale, sinking to the level of 
a higher figure in proportion to the lightness of the oil. 
It remains in the “ bleacher ” until the gaseous and 
lighter portions of the oil have evaporated to an extent 
that the oil will stand a fire test of 110 degrees and up¬ 
ward without igniting, when a lighted match is applied 
to it. From the settling tanks or bleachers, it is drawn 
off and barrelled. The barrels are made of the best 
white oak, the inside of the barrels being carefully 
coated with glue, or other suitable compounds, previ¬ 
ous to being filled. This process is repeated each time 
25 


578 


PETEOLIA. 


the barrels are refilled, the old coat being removed by 
means of a jet of steam. 

After distillation, as before stated, the second liquid 
that comes off is naphtha, or benzine, a very light, volatile, 
and inflammable substance, its hydrometrical test vary¬ 
ing from sixty-five to seventy-five degrees. When the dis¬ 
charge coming from the condensers descends to sixty or 
sixty-two degrees, the benzine is cut off, and let run to 
oil. If cut off at sixty-five or seventy-five degrees, the 
oil will be of inferior quality, inflammable, and insuffi¬ 
cient to stand the fire test, being liable to explode. The 
standard now adopted for refined oil requires it to 
stand a fire-test of one hundred and ten degrees and up¬ 
ward ; this being specified in all contracts. 

The mode of determining the “ fire tests ” is by plac¬ 
ing a small quantity of the oil taken from the “ bleach¬ 
er ” in a metal cup. Heat is applied by means of the 
flame of a lamp beneath it. A thermometer is immersed 
in the oil, and from time to time a lighted match is ap¬ 
plied to the oil. The point or degree marked upon the 
scale of the thermometer at which ignition takes place, 
is the “ fire test.” When the oil is too inflammable to 
come up to the standard stated, it is allowed to remain 
in the “ bleacher ” until further evaporation takes place, 
sufficient to bring it up to the requisite point. Oil that 
ignites below the specified standard is in danger of ig¬ 
niting when placed in a lamp, causing it to explode, 
since a certain portion of heat is communicated to it 
all through from the flame above. The point of ignition 
is between one hundred and ten and one hun¬ 
dred and twenty degrees Fahrenheit, in the best 
qualities of refined Petroleum. It may happen, however, 
that in consequence of its more rapid heating by some 
than by others, this standard will vary, the difference 
between the figures in testing the same sample running 


METHODS OF REFINING-REFINING INTEREST. 579 

from one to five degrees. There are three grades of 
refined oil—“ Prime White, ” “ Standard White, ” and 
“ Straw Color, ” such being their commercial classifica¬ 
tion. All these are required to stand afire test of 110° 
and upward. The residuum from the condenser is tar, 
the average ratio of which to all others is estimated 
to be aVjout one per cent. This substance is used for 
fuel, as a substitute for pitch, and a lubricating oil for 
heavy machinery is also made from it. The average 
per centage of refined obtained from crude Petroleum 
is about sixty-six to seventy per cent. 

As before stated, the refining of Petroleum is a much 
cheaper process than the procuring of oil from coal. 
Distillation over carbonate of soda has been tried with 
success. Distillation by superheated steam is recom¬ 
mended by eminent authorities, and has been extensively 
practised. But the large majority of refiners use the 
process we have described, varying the same according 
to circumstances. 

J. Geisner, the eminent chemist, says : 11 In refin¬ 

ing Petroleum or coal oils, care should be taken that the 
acid used be wholly removed by the alkali or water 
washing; many samples of Petroleum are found to con¬ 
tain sulphuric acid in sufficient quantity to produce a 
most disagreeable and dangerous sulphuric acid gas in 
burning. This has been noticed by physicians upon 
visiting patients in the country, where the oil is most 
used. The atmosphere of the sick room is very soon 
made poisonous by the gas evolved by the night- 
lamp. Sulphurous acid gas is very irritating to the 
lungs and mucous membrane. The presence of sul¬ 
phuric acid in the oil may be detected by adding a so¬ 
lution of chloride of barium to the oil, when a white 
precipitate will fall if any acid be present.” 


580 


PETKOLIA. 


From Dr. Gesner’s valuable work on 11 Coal Oils,’’ we 
make the following extracts relative to acids, alkalies, and 
other oxidating agents used in the purification of Petro¬ 
leum and their action : 

“ Acids, alkalies, peroxide of manganese, perman¬ 
ganate of potash, bichromate of potash, etc., have been 
unsparingly used in the purification of hydrocarbon oils, 
on account of their oxidating qualities. The object of 
chemists has been to impart oxygen to the impurities, by 
which they separate themselves from the oils, and gener¬ 
ally fall to the bottom of the vessel that contains them. 

“ The oxidation of organic compounds takes place in 
several different ways. In combustion, atmospheric oxy¬ 
gen is aided by a high temperature. If the supply of 
air be deficient, as in the case of a burning lamp, the hy¬ 
drogen, from a greater attraction for oxygen, is oxidat¬ 
ed, and the carbon of the oil appears in smoke or soot. 
The decay of wood is produced by oxidation, and ul- 
mine is the result. So also in some of the im¬ 
purities in hydro-carbon oils; their combination with oxy¬ 
gen gives them new characters, by which they no longer 
remain with their native liquids. Reagents may be ap¬ 
plied to oils that will not separate from them until 
exposed to the heat of distillation. By its oxidating 
properties, permanganate of potash converts sugar into 
oxalic acid. Bichromate of potash diluted with sul¬ 
phuric acid converts salicine into the hydruret of salicile 
or oil of spirea. Organic substances are oxidated by 
the atmosphere, and its action promoted by a higher 
temperature. Hot air has therefore been forced through 
hydro-carbon oils during the process of purification, and, 
in some instances, with advantage. 

“ Action of Sulphuric Acid .—In general, when sul¬ 
phuric acid is applied to organic compounds, (and such 
are the oils under consideration,) it decomposes or chars 


METHOD OF REFINING—REFINING INTEREST. 581 

them. By the aid of heat, its effects are more powerful, 
and it transmutes starch and lignine into grape sugar. 
Paraffine is not sensibly affected, when boiled with sul¬ 
phuric acid. For that reason it is employed in the pu¬ 
rification of that substance, as it absolutely burns out 
all its impurities. Sulphuric acid, or oil of vitriol, is now 
universally used in the purification of coal oils, by which 
some of their impurities are converted into tar, or ren¬ 
dered soluble in water. The acid may be separated from 
the tar by distillation. This acid always decomposes a 
part of the oils in proportion to its strength and the 
quantity employed. It is a powerful purifier. It re¬ 
moves one kind of odor and substitutes another less dis¬ 
agreeable. How far it changes the characters of the oils 
has not been determined ; but in some instances, when 
it is used in large quantities, there can be no doubt it 
produces what may be called sidpho-oils , which are 
unchangeable by the use of alkalies. Certain it is that 
these sulpho-oils are quite dissimilar to the natural oils 
obtained by the fractional distillation of coal oils, and 
inferior to them for the purposes of illumination. The 
powerful effects of the before-mentioned acid in remov¬ 
ing impurities from the distillates of coal and petro¬ 
leum, and its cheapness, have brought it into general use. 

“ Action of Nitric Acid .—The operations of nitric 
acid upon organic substances are very numerous. It 
usually, if not always, produces one or more acids. From 
gum there comes mucic acid; from indigo, indigotic and 
nitro-picric acids ; from stearic acid, margaric acid, etc., 
Laurent has clearly described the action of nitric acid 
upon naphthaline, &c. 

“ Benzole admits of having its hydrogen replaced 
by one, two, or three equivalents of nitric acids. This 
remark applies equally to eupion and all the lighter pro¬ 
ducts distilled from coals, petroleum, etc. All these 


582 


PETEOLIA. 


compounds have an aromatic odor. As an instance, 
when benzole is saturated with fuming nitric acid, and 
water is added to the hot solution, nitro-benzole subsides 
as a yellow oil with the odor of cinnamon. It is sold 
as the oil of bitter almonds. Other light hydro-carbons 
give similar results, and a great number of oils, useful 
for perfumery and cookery, may be produced from 
them. 

“ As an oxidator, nitric acid is more powerful than 
sulphuric acid, but it exerts a greater action on the oils 
themselves, changing them into nitro- oils, and remov¬ 
ing them farther away from the natural products of the 
material first employed. 

“ Permanganate of potash must be included among 
the materials used for oxidating the impurities con¬ 
tained in distilled oils. Its effects are feeble when 
compared with those of sulphuric acid, and its price is 
too great a drawback on the profits of the manufacture. 

“ As the oils here treated consist of carbon and 
hydrogen, some notice may be taken of these two ele¬ 
ments. Carbon occurs abundantly in the animal, 
vegetable, and mineral kingdoms. In its pure and 
crystallized state it constitutes the diamond. It is the 
chief substance of plumbago, and frequently forms 
more than ninety per cent, of anthracite coal. It is 
essential to the organization of animals, and enters ex¬ 
tensively into the composition of minerals, especially 
the varieties of coal, bitumen, Petroleum, <fcc., and all 
substances of vegetable origin. Carbon appears also 
in the gases of coal mines as carburetted hydrogen, or 
fire-damp, or carbonic acid, or ‘ choke-damp.’ When 
organic matter is heated in close vessels, volatile sub¬ 
stances are expelled ; these consist of carbon, hydrogen, 
nitrogen, and oxygen; the residue is carbon mixed 
with the ashes—the minerals that enter into the com- 


METHOD OF DEFINING—REFINING INTEREST. 583 

position of the wood. Carbon is without taste or 
smell, and insoluble. It resists decomposition, and, 
when buried in the earth, is imperishable. Combined 
with oxygen, carbon forms two gaseous compounds, 
carbonic acid and carbonic oxide. Carbonic oxide may 
be considered a compound radical. It combines with 
chlorine, oxygen, and the metals. It is a transparent, 
colorless gas, without taste or smell, and, when in¬ 
haled, is fatal to animal life. This gas takes fire, and 
burns with a fine blue flame, which is often seen on 
the surface of coals burning in a grate. 

“ Carbonic acid is formed by the respiration of ani¬ 
mals, and by vinous fermentation. It is a product of 
combustion, and is produced artificially by the action 
of acids upon carbonate of lime. It is a colorless gas, 
and so much heavier than air, that it may be contained 
in open vessels. The effervescing properties of wine, 
beer, soda-water, and some mineral waters, arise from 
the presence of this acid. It forms the food of growing 
plants, a part of which they retain in their structures. 
Another part is expelled, and is found in the atmo¬ 
sphere. 

“ Hydrogen forms one ninth part, by weight, of 
water, and exists in vegetable and animal substances. 
It has neither taste, color, nor smell, and is the 
lightest substance discovered in nature. It is nearly 
sixteen times lighter than oxygen, and fourteen and 
a half times lighter than air. It was, therefore, first 
employed in floating air balloons. A pressure of a 
thousand atmospheres has no sensible effect in the con¬ 
densation of hydrogen gas. Sound moves with three 
times the velocity in hydrogen that it does in common 
air, and it refracts light with more power than any 
other gas. The greater the quantity of hydrogen pres¬ 
ent in any body, the less will be its weight, or specific 


584 


rETROLIA. 


gravity. It is thus with the hydro-carbon oils. Hy¬ 
drogen is also the most inflammable substance in na¬ 
ture ; it burns with an almost colorless flame and great 
heat. The opinion is entertained by some, that hy¬ 
drogen is a gaseous metal, as mercury is a liquid metal. 

“ Carbon and Hydrogen , hydro-carbons. —Carbon 
and hydrogen combine in a great number of propor¬ 
tions, and consequently produce numerous compounds ; 
and as both elements are combustible, their compounds 
are also combustible and inflammable. By some, these 
compounds are called carbo-hydrogens. At the or¬ 
dinary temperatures, some of these are solid, such as 
parafiin, naphthalin, etc.; others are liquid, as the oils 
of lemons, naphtha, etc. Two of them are gaseous, 
namely, light carburetted hydrogen gas, and olefiant 
gas, which are the roots of two, if not more, series of 
compounds. All these compounds are the products of 
vegetables, or they are produced from the decay or 
destructive distillation of organic matter. 

“ Carburetted Hydrogen (C x II 2 ), mixed with atmo¬ 
spheric air, is the explosive fire-damp of the coal mines, 
and it frequently rises from the earth through fissures 
connected with beds of coal, or collections of Petro¬ 
leum. When mixed with twice its volume of oxygen, 
it explodes with great violence. If mixed with six 
times its volume of atmospheric air, it also explodes. 
By this mixture gasometers have been blown up with 
terrible effect. 

Bi-carburetted hydrogen , or olefiant gas (C 2 H 2 ), 
mixed with the above and other gases, occurs in coal 
mines. It is also transparent and colorless. It takes 
fire readily, and burns with a white flame, giving out 
much light. It is also the root of an extensive series 
of hydro-carbons. This gas and the preceding carbu¬ 
retted hydrogen, when pure, form what is known as 


METHOD OF REFINING—REFINING INTEREST. 585 

coal gas, now extensively employed to light cities. 
Its value depends much upon the quantity of olefiant 
gas contained in the mixture. 

“ The light produced by the combustion of the hy¬ 
dro-carbon oils is like that of coal gas. It is from gas 
in both instances. The oils are put in lamps, and in¬ 
flamed ; the gas is produced at the top of the wick, 
and decomposed instantaneously. In the other instance, 
the gas is made by heating the coals in retorts, and 
storing it in gasometers ready for use, and its distribu¬ 
tion through pipes and burners. In the benzole, or 
atmospheric light, the vapor of the hydro-carbon 
is conveyed in the air to the burner, and there burned 
as coal gas. The fluctuations in the condensation of 
this vapor by changes of temperature are impediments 
to this mode of supplying artificial light.” 


25* 


CHAPTER XIX. 


GENERAL RESULTS—STATISTICAL, &C. 

The cost of the entire Petroleum development, from 
the date of the striking of Drake’s well, in August, 
1859, to the date of January 1 , 1869, can be approx¬ 
imated from the tabular statement preceding this chap¬ 
ter. The prices paid for the land we were unable to 
fully ascertain, save in a few cases that were excep¬ 
tional, and would not serve as a reliable basis. To the 
date of the speculative era of 1864 and 1865, the prices 
were generally an average of those paid for improved 
farming land. The prices of 1864 and 1865 paid to 
original owners, scarcely averaged more than from $300 
to $500 per acre. The prices at which they were put 
in as the basis of the oil stock companies was far 
greater. The average price paid for lands from the 
beginning to the present date, will not exceed, we 
think, 100 per cent, that of first-rate improved farming 
land in any desirable locality, say from $100 to $300 
per acre. The farms of this and the adjoining counties 
are small, averaging from 100 to 150 acres each. The 
total number of farms purchased by oil companies in the 
Pennsylvania Oil Region we have been unable to 
ascertain definitely. 

From the best information we can get, the following 
report, made early in 1865, will show the approximate 
number of oil stock companies formed, and the aggre¬ 
gate amount of the par capital of the same. The cap¬ 
ital stock issued by each company varied in amount 


GENERAL RESULTS. 


587 


from $5,000 to $10,000,000. At the close of March, 
1865, the amount of par capital of the companies in the 
several cities where the trade had centred, was esti¬ 
mated as follows : 



No. of 
Companies 

Amount of par 
Capital. 

In Philadelphia._. 

436 

$ 230,885,000 
214,400,000 
22,930,000 
3,000,000 
2,000,000 
5,250,000 
500,000 
*1,500,000 
*4,750,000 
700,000 
1,780,000 ! 
t24,000,000 
25,373,500 
7,500,000 

36,000,000 

$580,568,500 

In New York. 

220 

In Pittsburgh. 

91 

In Boston. 

Tn Baltimore... 


In Chicago. 


In Detroit, Mich. 


In Erie, Pa. 

4 

In Titusville, Pa. 

3 

Tn Washington, 1). O... 

2 

In Indiana. 

7 

In Kentucky. 

81 

In Ohio. 

103 

In places not enumerated... 

Ninety-two companies in New York, Philadel¬ 
phia, and Pittsburgh, whose capital is not 
published^ estimated.... 


Total. 





* About. 


t Estimated. 


From this it would appear that, at the close of 
March, the combined par capital of the companies or 
ganized in the United States amounted to over $580,- 
000,000. The total number of companies in existence 
at the beginning of June, 1865, was 1,085, with an aggre¬ 
gate capital of $600,000,000. Estimating that the paid- 
up capital averaged one sixth of the whole amount, it 
would appear that $116,000,000 had at that time been 
actually invested in oil lands, machinery, and boring 
operations. The enormous growth, as here stated, was 
attained in four years. 

The return from this large investment of capital is 
stated in the same report as follows: 

“ PRODUCTION AND VALUE OF PETROLEUM. 

“ From a careful comparison of all the available 



























588 


PETROLIA. 


statistics, relative to the yield of Petroleum, we con¬ 
clude the production since 1860 to have been about as 
follows: 


In 1861.galls. 24,000,000 

1862 . “ 40,000,000 

1863 . “ 70,000,000 

1864 . “ 87,000,000 


Total, four years. “ 221,000,000 

“ During the current year, the yield of the wells 
lias, thus far, fallen short of that of 1864 ; it is, how¬ 
ever, anticipated that the large number of new wells 
now ‘ going down ’ will largely increase the daily pro¬ 
duction over that of last year, before the close of the 
year. 

“ The following comparison, showing the produc¬ 
tion and average price of oil at the wells during each 
year, will give the aggregate value of the product dur¬ 
ing each of the four years : 


Product. Galls. 

Av. Price. 

Total Value. 

1861... 

..24,000,000 

64 cents. 

$1,560,000 

1862... 

.40,000,000 

4 cents. 

1,400,000 

1863... 

. .70,000,000 

94 cents. 

6,650,000 

1864... 

...87,000,000 

23 cents. 

20,010,000 


Total for four 

years. 



“ The product of 1864 yielded about 62,000,000 gal¬ 
lons of refined oil, the average price of which, in bond, 
at New York, was sixty-two cents per gallon ; giving as 
the value of the refined article, in 1864, $40,300,000. 
Considering that the value of the raw product at the 
wells was $20,010,000, it appears that the refined product 
is worth just double the value of the raw oil from 
which it is derived. This fact illustrates the largeness 












GENEEAL EESULTS. 589 

of the animal gains to labor and capital resulting from 
the manufacture of the Petroleum products. 

u The yield of oil in 1864, as valued at the wells, 
was worth $20,000,000. As the cost of producing the 
oil is comparatively light, it would perhaps be safe to 
estimate $15,000,000 of this amount as representing the 
net profit on this return. This gain would be equiva¬ 
lent to a profit of twenty per cent, upon $75,000,000 of 
paid up capital ; which amount may be considered as 
about the sum actually invested in the Petroleum en¬ 
terprises in 1864, upon an average for the year. Dur¬ 
ing the closing months of 1864, and the first three 
months of the current year, 1865, the creation of com¬ 
panies has progressed at a rate that would make up the 
difference between the $75,000,000 of paid-up capital 
here estimated, and the $116,000,000 above stated, as 
the probable paid-up capital at the close of March, 
1865.” 


The currency price of crude and refined oil in New 
York for each month of 1861, 1862, 1863, and 1864 is 
given as follows: 


Months. 

Crude. 

Kefined in Bond. 


1862. 

1863. 

1864. 

1861. 

1862. 

1863. 

1864. 


Cents. 

Cents. 

Cents. 

Cents. 

Cents. 

Cents. 

Cents. 

January. 

22 b 

23i 

31* 

78* 

40 

40 

46* 

February. 

m 

m 

30 f 

79* 

32* 

38* 

49* 

March. 

19 

21§ 

31* 

72* 

30 

34* 

49* 

April. 

14* 

21 

37* 

66* 

27* 

33* 

54| 

May. 

13 

26* 

38* 

62* 

25 

39* 

59* 

June. 

14 

27* 

415 

50 

26* 

44* 

68* 

July. 

15 

30* 

52* 

50* 

30 

49 

86 

August. 

19* 

351 

52* 

59* 

34 

53* 

84* 

September. 

IS* 

36 

45* 

58 

34* 

58 

75 

October.. 

22 

32* 

41* 

55 

36* 

52* 

631 

November. 

36 

27* 

45* 

48* 

60* 

41* 

64* 

December. 

38 

30* 

51* 

48* 

59* 

46* 

72* 

Average. 

20* 

28 

41* 

61* 

36* 

44* 

64* 


The lack of proper management, the large number 
of corrupt companies formed, and absorption of the in¬ 
adequate working capital of the companies, the closing 




































590 


PETROLIA. 


of the war, and consequent reduction of tne values pre¬ 
vailing, caused a large proportion of the oil companies 
to collapse. Owing to the small amount of capital de¬ 
voted to actual development, but few of the companies 
had paid any dividends, and their stock, after the first 
issue, only represented a merely nominal value, even 
where the company was organized on a legitimate basis. 
With the bursting of the bubble at the close of the 
war, the shares of stock were, in a large number of 
companies, scarcely worth the paper they were printed 
upon. Thousands of shareholders were ruined, and the 
large investment rendered valueless for all practical 
benefit. A number of companies still retain the lands 
purchased in 1864 and 1865. A large number have 
been sold out by the sheriff for taxes and claims, real 
or otherwise, brought against them. 

The failure of the oil companies proved highly detri¬ 
mental to the Petroleum interests, and but for the in¬ 
domitable energy of those engaged legitimately in the 
trade, would have been ruinous. But few oil com¬ 
panies were organized in the Oil Region proper, and a 
majority of these proved successful. Though a tem¬ 
porary injury, and one from which the Petroleum busi¬ 
ness has not as yet fully recovered, the good results 
of that exciting, though brief era, have become apparent 
in the last two years. The large and general develop¬ 
ment inaugurated by the numerous oil companies dur¬ 
ing the two years of their reign, could not have been 
effected successfully by individual effort in a quarter of 
a century. The scores of wells drilled by them in all 
portions of the Oil Region, now serve as landmarks or 
beacons to guide the oil operator in his search for the 
oily treasure. From the effort made in previous days 
or years, he can form liis own plans with more reason¬ 
able hone of success. The unfortunate stockholders of 


GENERAL RESULTS. 


591 


a majority of the oil companies, deserve our sympathy, 
though their investments were too often made without 
reflection and contrary to the established laws which 
govern legitimate business. Yet from the development 
of 1868 and ’69, a hope, far from faint, can be held out to 
stockholders whose lands here are still retained. The 
area of the general oil-producing field is being extended 
greatly from year to year, and many of the lands of 
these companies are being included in it, and are prov¬ 
ing highly productive. 

We are no apologists for the system of oil com¬ 
panies as inaugurated in 1864 and 1865. On the con¬ 
trary, we consider them as having been of great detri¬ 
ment, and as causing the ruin of thousands. People 
became excited over the fanciful reports of those who 
wished to obtain their money, and invested their means 
recklessly, losing it, of course. But there are many 
companies organized on a sound basis who have been 
enabled to outride the storm, whose chances for suc¬ 
cess are better to-day than ever before, and are con¬ 
stantly improving. Excitements in oil stocks may pos¬ 
sibly occur again, but we are sure the speculation will 
be on a better basis. By reducing their capital stock 
to a figure approximating somewhat to the real value 
of their possessions, and economical management, with 
the advantage of superior knowledge of the practical 
details of the business, the chief drawback to their 
success in former years, the chances for realizing their 
investments in whole or in part, is certainly flattering. 
We have preferred to treat the subject in general 
terms, as a detailed statement would take up too great 
an amount of space, and could be productive of no bene¬ 
ficial results to the parties concerned. 

The following, copied from the exceedingly valuable 
Annual Petroleum Report for 1868, of the Titusville 
25* 


592 


PETROLIA. 


Morning Herald , furnishes, in brief form, as reliable 
statistical information of the business for 1868, as 
well as the preceding years, as can be obtained. It is 
so interesting that we give it nearly entire : 

SECOND ANNUAL PETROLEUM REPORT. 

HE VIEW OF THE PETROLEUM MARKET ON THE CREEK. 

January. —There was a quiet feeling during the 
first week, and prices were quoted at $2.70@$2.85, but 
about the 15th the feeling became stronger under an 
increase in the demand for home consumption, and 
prices appreciated 15 to 30 cents. Before the 20th 
there was another advance of 15 cents, and the market 
closed firm at $2.00@$2.15. 

February .—In the first half of this month prices 
were unusually steady, having varied only about five 
cents from those at the close of January. Between the 
14th and 17th there was an advance of 10 cents, and 
from the latter date there was a steady appreciation un¬ 
til the 26th, when the rise culminated at $2.40@$2.50, 
and subsequently prices declined, and were quoted on 
the 29th at $2.30@2.40. 

March. —The market was firm at the beginning and 
continued with an upward tendency. Sales were made 
on the 9th as high as $2.65, on the 18th at $2.85, and 
on the 19th at $2.90@$3.00, after which the feeling 
broke and prices declined slowly until the close when 
quotations were given at $2.75. 

April .—There was a steady decline from the open¬ 
ing, and on the 8th there were sales at $2.40 which 
was the lowest point reached, prices having subsequent¬ 
ly advanced, and on the 20tli they were quoted at $2.70 
@$2.90. The market after the 20th was very strong 
and at the close sales were made as high as $3.50. 


GENERAL RESULTS. 


593 


May. —The upward movement of the previous 
month was continued until about the 6th, when prices 
reached $3.80@$4.10 at all points along the Creek. 
There was then a decline, but it was slight, and only 
lasted a few days, the feeling having become strong 
about the 13th, and on the succeeding days sales were 
made at from $3.50 to $4.00. The advance, however, 
lasted but a day or two, and was followed by a weak 
feeling which carried prices slowly downward, and on 
the 30th there were sales as low as $3.00 and $3.50. 
The wide difference between the two last prices was 
caused by the freight charges on the local railroad. 

June .—Early in this month there was a sharp ad¬ 
vance, and prices reached $4.50 on the 8th. There was 
then considerable excitement and the upward move¬ 
ment continued, and at the close quotations were given 
at $4.90@$5.00. The highest figures of the month 
along the Creek were $5.25@5.50, and at Oil City 
$5.25@$5.35. These prices were maintained but a few 
hours. 

July .—There were but few fluctations in the price, 
and it was more steady than during any other month 
in the year. At the opening there was a moderate 
activity at $5.25@$5.50 along the Creek, and $5.85 at 
Oil City. Toward the end of the second week there 
was a decline, but prices rallied during the last week, 
and closed at $5.10. 

August. —The closing quotation of the previous 
month was sustained until about the 6th, when the 
market broke and prices declined, and on the 13th sales 
were made at $4.75@$4.90. There was then a steady 
decline, and on the 28th the quotations were $3.'70@ 
$4.05. During the last two days the market recovered, 
and at the close it was firm. 

September .—During the first three days the feeling 


594 


PETEOLIA. 


was qiuet,and prices were steady, but about the 5th there 
was an advance, but it was lost early in the second week 
under a strong “ bear ” movement, and prices receded 
until the 18th. At that date sales were effected at 
$3.65@$3.75. Subsequently prices were carried up by 
the efforts of a combination of dealers to $4.00@$4.25, 
at which large quantities were thrown on the market, 
and quotations fell off 30@35 cents. 

October. —At the beginning there was a firm feel¬ 
ing, and prices advanced slightly. On the 5th sales 
were made at $4.00@$4.25, after which the market 
broke; but the decline was not great, and about the 
middle of the month the feeling rallied, and on the 
21st round lots were sold at $4.25. During the next 
six days the tone was firm, but after the 2Gth the de¬ 
mand decreased, and on the 30th the feeling was weak. 

November. —From the opening quotation—say $4.10 
—there was a gradual decline, and on the 13th sales 
were made at $3.00@$3.15, and there were some small 
lots changed hands at 5@10 cents under those prices. The 
lowest prices were reached during the 13th and 14th. 
The decline had the effect of bringing speculative buy¬ 
ers into the market, and on the 16th there was a 
stronger feeling, and prices advanced until about the 
25th, when quotations were given at $4.30@$4.50. 
Toward the close there was a weaker feeling, and prices 
receded 25@35 cents. 

December. —The market was firm during the most 
of this month, and advanced materially. On the 12th 
sales were made as high as $4.75. There was then un¬ 
til the 20th a more quiet feeling, but after that date 
prices began to decline, and on the 20th there were 
sales at $4.20@$4.30. During the last three days there 
was a better feeling, and at the close the tendency was 
upward. 


2 

5 

8 

11 

14 

17 

20 

23 

26 

29 

o 

A* 

5 

8 

11 

14 

17 

20 

23 

26 

29 

3 

6 

9 

12 

15 

18 

21 

24 

27 

30 

2 

5 

8 

11 

14 

17 

20 

23 

26 

29 

2 

5 

8 

11 

14 

17 


GENERAL RESULTS 


595 


RANGE OF PRICES IN 18G8. 


following table shows the range of prices of 
3r barrel on the Creek; of crude per gallon at 
'gh and New York, and of refined per gallon 
York: 


Crude per barrel 
of 43 gallons, on 
the Creek. 

Crude per gallon 
in Pittsburgh. 

Crude per gallon 
in New York. 

Refined per gallon 

in New York. 

i 

1 70@1 90 

6% 

10% 

21% 

1 70@1 80 

7 

10% 

23%@24 

1 70@l 85 

7 

10% 

21% 

1 70@1 85 

7 

10% 

21% 

1 80@2 00 

7 

10% @,11 

25% 

1 90@2 10 

7 @7% 

10% 

25 

1 95@2 10 

7 @7 if 

10 % 

24% 

1 95@2 10 

7%@7% 

0% 

24% 

1 90@2 10 

7 

10% 

24 

2 00@2 15 

7 % 

10 

22 @22% 

2 00@2 15 

7 @7% 

io% 

21% 

2 00@2 15 

7 @7% 

10% 

24 

2 15 

7 

9%@10 

22 

2 10@2 15 

7% 

11% 

24% 

2 10@2 25 

7% 

11 

24% 

2 10@2 25 

7%@7% 

11% 

24% 

2 15@2 30 

7% 

12 

25 

2 35@2 50 

8 

11 

24% 

2 40@2 50 

8 

11 

24%®25 

2 30@2 45 

7%@7% 

12 

24% @26 

2 20@2 40 

7%@7% 

12 

25%@26 

2 40@2 45 

7% 

13 

25%@26 

2 50@2 65 

8 

11 

26 

2 55@2 70 

8 @8% 

14 

28 

2 60@2 70 

8% 

14 

26 

2 60@2 70 

8% 

14 

26 

2 70@2 85 

8 @8% 

14 

25% 

2 85@2 90 

8% 

12% 

25% 

2 75@2 80 

8% 

12% 

25 @25% 

2 65@2 70 

8% 

12% 

25%@26 

2 65@2 75 

S%@9 

12 

25%@26 

2 65@2 75 

8% 

12 

26 

2 40@2 50 

8% 

11 

26 

2 40@2 65 

8% 

11 

25% 

2 50@2 75 

8% 

10% 

25% 

2 60@2 85 

8% 

11 

25% 

2 70@2 90 

8% 

11 

26 

2 75®3 00 

0% 

12% 

26% 

3 00@3 10 

9 X 

12% 

26% 

3 00@3 30 

10 

13 

27% 

3 60@3 75 

10% 

18% 

28 

3 80(0)1 10 

12 % 

15 

31 

3 55@3 80 

u% 

14 

30 

3 25@3 50 

12 

14 

30 

3 50(5)4 00 

10%@11 

14 

30% 

3 40@3 50 

11 

14 

29 

















29 

2 

5 

8 

11 

14 

17 

20 

23 

26 

29 

2 

6 

8 

11 

14 

17 

20 

23 

26 

29 

1 

4 

7 

10 

13 

16 

19 

22 

25 

28 

1 

4 

7 

10 

13 

16 

19 

22 

26 

29 

2 

5 

8 

11 

14 

17 

20 

23 

26 

29 

1 

4 

7 


PETEOLIA. 


Crude per barrel 
of 43 gallons, on 
the Creek. 

Crude per gallon 

in Pittsburgh. 

3 40@3 60 

10# 

3 40@3 75 

10#@11 

3 30@3 50 

11 

3 30@3 50 

10# 

3 30@3 60 

10# 

4 00@4 50 

11 @11# 

4 25@4 50 

11#@12 

4 35@4 50 

11# 

5 00@5 25 

12# 

5 15@5 35 

12#®13 

4 65®4 85 

12 

4 75@4 85 

12# 

5 00@5 25 

12# 

4 90@5 00 

13 

5 09@5 25 

13#@14 

5 00@5 50 

15 

5 50@5 75 

15 

5 00@5 25 

11# 

4 40(0(4 60 

12# 

5 00@5 25 

14#©15 

4 85@5 00 

14 

4 90@5 00 

13#@14 

4 80@5 00 

14 

5 00@5 10 

14 

5 00@5 10 

14#@14# 

5 00@5 19 

14 @14# 

5 00 

14 @14# 

4 95 

14 

4 75@4 90 

13#@14 

4 50@4 80 

13 @13# 

4 65@4 75 

13# 

4 50@4 60 

13 

4 00@4 25 

12# 

3 55@3 90 

11 # @12 

3 70@4 05 

H#@12 

4 00@4 25 

12 

4 25@ 

H#@12 

3 85@4 00 

11# 

3 70® 3 90 

11 

3 50@3 75 

11 

3 75@3 80 

10# 

3 80@4 00 

H #@H# 

4 00®4 30 

12 @12# 

4 00 

11# 

4 00®4 10 

12 

4 10@4 25 

13 

4 00 

12# 

4 00®4 25 

12# 

4 00®4 15 

12# 

4 00®4 15 

H#@ll# 

4 00@4 20 

11# 

4 15@4 20 

11# 

4 00@4 20 

12 

4 00@4 15 

H#@12 

4 00@4 10 

H#@ll# 

3 60@3 90 

11# 

3 30@3 75 

10 1 @11# 


Crude per gallon 

in New York. 

Refined per gallon 

in New York. 

13 @13# 

29 

13 @13# 

30 

13# 

29# 

13# 

28# 

13# 

27# 

13# 

30 

14 @14# 

31 

15# 

31# 

15#@16 

32 

16# 

32#@33 

16 

31#@32 

15#@16 

31 

16 @16# 

31 

16#@16# 

32 

16 @16# 

32 @32# 

17 

32#@33 

17#@18 

34 @34# 

17# 

34 

16# 

33 

17#@17# 

34 @34# 

17 @17# 

31 @34 

16#@17 

33#@3 4 

17 

34 @34# 

17# 

34# 

18 @18# 

34 

17 @17# 

34# 

17#@17# 

34#@34# 

17# 

34# @34# 

16#@16# 

34 

16 

33 ((t),33^t£ 

16 

34 

15 @15# 

32# @32# 

15 @15^ 

31#@32 

14 @14# 

30#@30# 

14# 

31#@31# 

15 @15# 

31#@32 

16#@17 

32 

15#@16 

32 

15 

30 

14# 

30 

16 

30 @30# 

15f @16 

31#@32 

16#@17 

32# 

15#@16 

30 

16 

30# 

16 

S0#@31 

16 

30 

15#@15# 

29#@30 

16 

29 @30 

15#@16 

29# 

15# 

29 @29# 

15#@16 

30 

16# 

31 

17 

S0#@31 

17 

29# 

16# 

17 

29# 

0-7 















GENERAL RESULTS 


597 



Crude per barrel 

of 43 gallons on 
the CreeK. 

Crude per gallon 

in Pittsburgh. 

Crude pe. gallon 

in New York. 

Refined per gallon 

in New York. 

Nov. 

il 

3 10@3 40 


11 

15 

27 

a 

13 

3 00@3 15 

10 

©10^ 

12#@13 

27# 

u 

16 

3 00@3 35 


10 

14 

27# 

a 

19 

3 50@3 60 

10 

@10^ 

15 

28# 

u 

22 

4 20@4 35 



16# 

33#@34 

a 

25 

4 30@4 50 



18 

35 

u 

28 

3 90@4 25 


li# 

18 

35 

Dec. 

1 

3 80@4 20 


12 

17 @18 

31 @32 

U 

3 

3 60@3 90 


U# 

16# 

29# 

(C 

6 

4 30@4 40 


11# 

17# 

31# 

<< 

9 

4 40@4 50 

12 

@12# 

18 

33#@34 

it 

12 

4 75@4 90 


12# 

18 

33# @34 

n 

15 

4 55@4 70 

12^@ 13 

19 

32 

u 

18 

4 40@4 50 


12# 

18#@18# 

32# 

u 

21 

4 25@4 40 


12# 

18 @18# 

31#@32 

H 

24 

4 25@4 30 


12 

IS 

31# 

U 

27 

4 10@4 25 

12 

@12# 

17# 

31 @31# 

44 

30 

4 40@.4 50 

12 

@12# 

18 

31# 


EXPORTS DURING THE LAST EIGHT YEARS. 

The exports of crude, refined, naphtha, &c., from 
the United States were as follows: 


In 18G1.... galls. 

1,112,476 equal to bbls. 

27,812 

1862.... “ 

10,887,701 

u 

a 

272,192 

1863.... “ 

28,250,721 

ll 

a 

706,268 

1864.... “ 

31,872,972 

u 

a 

796,824 

1865.... “ 

29,805,523 

u 

a 

745,138 

1866.... “ 

67,430,451 

u 

a 

1,685,761 

1867.... “ 

67,051,020 

(( 

a 

1,676,300 

1868.... “ 

91,281,750 

a 

u 

2,482,044 

Messrs. Eagle 

& Blakeslee, 

Petroleum Freight 


Brokers, of New York, make the amounts of crude, re¬ 
fined, &c., exported from New York, Philadelphia, 
Boston, and Baltimore, in 1868 , as under: 


Crude. 

.galls. 

9,473,625 

Refined. 

u 

79,345,165 

Lubricating oil. 

a 

1,701,561 

Naphtha. 

u 

9,128,972 

Residuum. 

u 

125,685 






















598 


PETROLIA 


At this late date it is extremely difficult to obtain 
the product of the earlier years, and we have only ven¬ 
tured on an approximation of it. In 1859 there were 
small amounts produced on the flats near Titusville on 
the W. M‘Clintock and A. and J. Buchanan farms. 
The total product for that year was about 82,000 bar¬ 
rels, and in 1860 it is set down at 90,000 barrels. The 
subjoined tables show the production of the farms and 
districts as near as could be ascertained during the 
years named: 


Names of Farms and Districts. 

1861 

Barrels. 

1862 

Barrels. 

186 

Barrels. 

Titusville and vicinity. 

40,000 

36,000 

35,000 

150,000 

255,000 

60,000 

200,000 

110,500 

159,859 

190,000 

160,000 

200,000 

180,000 

72,000 

300,000 

44,000 

495,000 

Bull Hun and vicinity. 

Sherman flats. 



Benninghoff 1 farm... 

' 3^500 

4,000 

400,000 

McElheny farm... 

380,000 

Hvde A, Egbert farm... 

Story farm.. 

41,600 

40,000 

13,000 

29,000 

912,500 

365,000 

179,106 

Tarr farm_... ... 

100,000 

Blood farm.. 

300,000 

25,000 

1,095,000 

Steele farm... 

A. Buchanan farm.... 

J. Buchanan farm... 

'547,500 

180,000 

90,000 

100,000 

J. McClintock farm. 

170.000 

Allegheny River district.. 

84,000 

35,000 

Other farms and districts. 



Total. 

2,113,600 

3,056,606 

2,611,359 


Names of Farms and Districts. 


Titusville and vicinity.... 
Hull Hun and vicinity.... 

Slierman flats. 

Foster farm, Pioneer Hun 

Benninghoff farm. 

McElheny farms. 

Beimehoff Run. 

Stevenson farm. 

W. McClintock farm.. 

Hyde & Egbert farm. 

Dalzell farm. 

Story farm. 

Tarr farm. 

Blood farm.. 

Steele farm. 

A. Buclianan farm. 

J. Buchanan farm. 

J. McClintock farm. 

Pithole.. 

Tidioute. 

Allegheny River district.. 
Other farms and districts.. 


1864 

Barrels. 

1865 

Barrels. 

1866 

Barrels. 

25,000 

40,000 

55,000 

212,000 

199,197 

153,268 

109,500 

28,000 

• • • • 

• • • • 


61,713 

4,000 

8,000 

92,953 

119,S03 

77,550 

93,482 

• • • • 

100,500 

132,000 

• • • • 

140.000 

300,000 

58.403 

89,192 

289.906 

360,000 

240,000 

120,000 

« • • • 

8,277 

10,688 

241,976 

210,996 

177,567 

75,000 

25,000 

56,000 

50,000 

60,000 

34,000 

250,000 

136,000 

17,000 

200,000 

21,000 

40,000 

159,000 

37,000 

12,000 

41.000 

27,000 

72,000 

• • # • 

350,000 

800,000 

60,000 

300,000 

803,000 

75,000 

150,000 

134,000 

75,000 

250,000 

140,000 

2,110,182 

2,497,712 

3.597,527 


Total 











































































I 


GENERAL RESULTS. 599 

PRODUCTION—1868. 

At the commencement of 1868 the then recent dis¬ 
covery of two important producing districts, and an 
improved prospect for an advance in the price of oil, 
made it look probable that there would be a very large 
production during the summer, but owing to the wells 
in both districts becoming exhausted much sooner than 
it was expected they would, the anticipations of a large 
production were not realized. There were wide fluc¬ 
tuations, the extreme daily averages having been 8,600 
and 12,500 barrels. The former average was in May, 
and the latter during the last two days of September. 

The most important feature during the year was 
that in the last three months the product continued to 
decrease, although the number of wells being completed 
was larger than previously. This unusual occurrence 
in oil producing was owing to more than one half of 
the wells that were completed having been located in 
the Pleasantville district, where the oil-producing sand- 
rock is thin and the supply of oil in it proportionally 
light. 

The annexed table shows the average daily produc¬ 
tion from January 1st to April 8th, from April 8th to 
May 1st, and during each succeeding month in the yeai 
1868: 


From January 1st to April 8th.bbls. 9,280 

From April 8tli to May 1st.“ 8,650 

During May. “ 9,740 

“ June.“ 10,102 

“ July. “ 10,698 

“ August. “ 11,981 

“ September. “ 11,486 

“ October. “ 11,556 

“ November. “ 10,275 

“ December. “ 9,737 












600 


PETROLIA. 


The following is a recapitulation of the production 
since 1859. The production during 1867 is taken from 
our last Annual Report, and that for 1868 from our 
monthly reports: 


Produced in 1859.. 


82,000 

t 

1860. 

u 

500,000 

u 

1861.. 

u 

2,113,600 

a 

1862.. 

u 

3,056,606 

u 

1863,. 

U 

2,611,359 

u 

1864. 

U 

2,116,182 

u 

1865. 

u 

3,497,712 

11 

1866. 

u 

3,597,527 

u 

1867. 

u 

3,347,306 

u 

1868. 

u 

3,715,741 


Total. 

.bbls. 23,638,033 


NUMBER OF PRODUCING WELLS-AVERAGE CAPACITY- 

NUMBER OF WELLS COMPLETED IN 1868. 

As the producing capacities of the w^ells have grown 
smaller, the number of wells has been enlarged in order 
to meet the requirements of an increasing demand, and 
on January 1 , 1869, the total number in the region was 
1,186—an increase of probably 200 from the same date 
last year. The wells are located over an extent of ter¬ 
ritory about sixty miles in length, and from one to six¬ 
teen miles in width. Most of them, however, are in 
the Oil Creek, Pleasantville, Tidioute, and Upper 
Cherry Run districts. 

The total daily capacity for producing of all the 
wells, at the date above named, was equal to 13,819 
barrels. This is what the wells would produce when 
worked continuously under favorable crircumstances. 
But as it is only in rare instances that wells can be, or 
are worked without stopping for any length of time, it 














GENERAL EESULTS. 


G01 


necessarily follows that the capacity of wells is not a 
criterion of the production ; nor can any entirely relia¬ 
ble rule for ascertaining the product from the capacity 
of the wells be made, because the length of time which 
wells are worked steadily depends much on the weather, 
but more on the skill with which they are managed. 
Assuming, however, that the capacity of the wells dur¬ 
ing January was the same as on the 1st of that month, 
and as the average daily product for January was 10,- 
192 barrels, it is seen that the capacity was 3,669 bar¬ 
rels, or about one third greater each day than the pro¬ 
duction. 

The subjoined table shows the number of wells that 
were producing on each farm, or in each district, on 
January 1, 1869 ; the total daily average capacity for 
production and the number of wells that were com¬ 
pleted in 1868 : 


NAMES OF FARMS AND 

DISTRICTS. 

No. of Producing 
Wells. 

! Total Capacity 

1 for Production. 

i 

Average Capacity 
for Production. 

No. of Wells com¬ 
pleted in ’68 about 

Titusville and Church Run. 


61 

715 

11% 

46 

Pleasantville District. 


214 

3,164 

14% 

300 

Atkinson Farm, Upper Cherry Run. 

6 

64 

10% 

35 

Tallman Farm, “ “ 

ii 

27 

405 

15 

31 

S. P. Co.’s Tract, “ “ 

i i 

17 

427 

25 

26 

Pittsb’gh & Cherry Run Tract, 

ii 

11 

165 

15 

3 

A Clark Farm, 

ti 

8 

97 

12 

4 

Great Republic Oil Co.’s Tract, 

ii 

6 

30 

5 

4 

Fink Lease, 

a 

S 

33 

11 

2 

T. Tarr Farm, 

u 

3 

36 

12 

3 

J. E. Bennehoff Farm, 

a 

3 

21 

7 

o 

u 

Keech Farm, 

u 

3 

24 

8 

— 

Other Tracts and Farms on 

u 

9 

65 

7 

10 

Cow Run, Oil Creek. 


9 

145 

16 

6 

Caldwell Farm, Bull Run. 


3 

36 

12 

5 

Patterson Farm, “ “ . 


9 

54 

6 

5 

Skinner Farm, “ “ . 


7 

35 

5 

3 

Farel Farm “ “ . 


4 

40 

10 

9 

Foster Farms, Pioneer Run. 


15 

255 

17 

17 

Benninghoff Farm, Oil Creek.... 


13 

246 

19 

20 

BenninghoffRun, “ “ .... 


4 

28 

7 

6 


26 





































602 


PETROLIA 


NAMES OP FARMS AND DISTRICTS. 

No. of Producing 

Wells. 

Total Capacity 

for Production. 

Average Capacity 

for Production. 

No. of Wells com¬ 

pleted in ’68 about 

Stevenson Farm,Oil Creek. 

15 

158 

15% 

22 

A. Boyd & CoxtonFarm, near Oil Creek. 

5 

45 

9 

— 

W. M‘Clintock Reserve “ “ “ . 

2 

14 

7 

— 

W. M‘Clintock Farm, Oil Creek. 

47 

376 

8 

13 

McElheny Farms, “ “ . 

9 

45 

5 

5 

McCray Farm, “ “ . 

2 

14 

7 

— 

Woods Farm, “ “ . 

42 

714 

17 

40 

Keneusett Petroleum Company’s Tract, Oil Creek... 

1 

12 

12 

13 

.Oalzell Farm, “ “ ... 

4 

12 

3 

1 

Pierson Farm and Cherry Tree Run, near Oil Creek. 

42 

538 

12% 

33 

Story Farm, Oil Creek. 

23 

322 

14 

11 

Tarr Farm, “ “ . 

12 

144 

12 

7 

Blood Farm, “ “ . 

25 

575 

23 

20 

Rynd Farm, “ “ . 

18 

138 

7% 

13 

Steel Farm, “ “ . 

15 

60 

4 

1 

M'Clintockville Petroleum Company’s Tract. 

17 

102 

6 

8 

Cornplanter Farm, Oil Creek. 

3 

38 

13 

— 

Clapp Farm, “ “ . 

10 

76 

7 

2 

A. Buchanan Farm, Lower Cherry Pun. 

IS 

180 

10 

7 

J. Buchanan Farm, “ “ . 

21 

363 

17 

22 

John M‘Clintock Farm, “ “. 

11 

113 

10 

2 

Union Petroleum Co.’s Tract, “ “. 

10 

90 

9 

2 

Brevoort Petroleum Co.’s Tract, “. 

8 

64 

8 

1 

Moody Bun, “ “. 

5 

30 

6 

1 

Smith Farm, “ “ . 

15 

120 

8 

2 

Curtin Oil Company’s Tract “ “ . 

3 

60 

20 

2 

United Pet. Farms Association Tract, Oil Creek. 

32 

64 

2 

8 

Hofl’man Petroleum Company’s Tract, “ “ . 

4 

7 

1% 

3 

Oil City, West side, and* Holliday Run. 

20 

36 

i 

1 

Charley Run, near Oil City. 

5 

140 

28 

4 

Shaffer Run, near Reno. 

6 

102 

17 

5 

Reno Company’s Property. 

15 

30 

2 

1 

Cochran Farm*, Allegheny River. 

12 

24 

2 

1 

Honeycomb Oil Company’s Tract, Allegheny River.. 

1 

7 

7 


Hoover Farm, “ “ 

10 

55 


1 

Snyder Farm, “ ,c 

6 

108 

18' 

4 

Foster Island, “ “ 

2 

18 

9 

___ 

Foster Farm, “ “ 

8 

160 

20 

3 

Excelsior Petroleum Company’s Tract,“ “ 

2 

2 

1 


Philadelphia and Boston Pet. Co.’s Tract, “ 

10 

100 

10 

5 

McMillan Oil Company’s Tract, “ “ 

13 

130 

10 

7 

Belle Island, “ “ 

9 

82 

9 

6 

Witherup Farm, “ “ 

10 

60 

6 

9 

Parker’s Landing, “ “ 

H 

121 

11 

5 

Fox’s Landing, “ “ 

2 

7 

3% 

1 

Allegheny River District from Reno to Tidioute. 

47 

141 

3 

18 

Economy Oil Company’s Tract, “ 

21 

444 

21 

18 

Tidioute and Warren Oil Company Tract, “ . 

25 

627 

5 

10 

Triumph Oil Company’s Tract, “ 

13 

130 

10 

4 

N. Y. <fe D. Run Co.’s Tract, “ . 

6 

42 

7 


Pierce & Nevhart Tract, “ . 

3 

18 

6 


N. Y. & A. 0. Co.’s Tract, “ 

9 

54 

6 

3 

Other Farms and Tracts in vicinity of Tidioute. 

7 

84 

12 

5 

Pithole and vicinity. 

28 

28 

10 

28 

Bean Farm, near Pithole, about. 

12 

96 

8 

4 

Enterprise, Warren Co. 

9 

81 

9 

8 

Total. 

1,186 

13,8 9 

11X 

929 





























































GENERAL RESULTS. 


603 


About 150 of the wells produced less than two bar¬ 
rels per day, and there were 200 the production of 
which averaged less than five barrels per day. Of the 
wells producing on January 1, one, situated on the 
Buchanan farm on Oil Creek, was struck in 1859, and 
there were twenty-seven others struck during 1860 and 
1861, the production of which is yet considerable. 
These wells are located along Oil Creek and on the 
Hoover and other farms on the Allegheny River. The 
wells producing on January 1 , 1869, were completed in 
the years and proportions as under : 


In 1859. 1 

1860. 10 

1861 . 17 

1862 . 20 

1868. 29 

1864 . 46 

1865 . 99 

1866 . 92 

1867 . 148 

1868 . 724 


Total.1,186 


Of the 929 wells completed during 1868, about 100 
did not produce in paying quantities. A large propor¬ 
tion of the unsuccessful wells were struck in the first 
half of the year. 

SHIPMENTS FROM THE OIL REGION. 

The shipment of oil from the region was carried on 
during 1868 almost wholly in bulk, and of 3,669,000 
barrels of crude and refined only about 375,000 barrels 
were moved in packages. The amount moved by the 
Allegheny River reached about 700,000 barrels. 

The following table gives the shipments of crude 
and refined from the region by all routes, the total ship- 














604 : 


PETROLIA. 


ment of crude and also the shipment of crude in 1867. 
The barrels are rated at forty-five gallons : 


To New York. 

.bbls. 

965,862 

Cleveland. 

u 

918,651 

Boston.. 

a 

120,981 

Philadelphia. 

u 

236,922 

Portland. 

u 

35,878 

Pittsburgh. 

u 

1,144,956 

Other points. 

a 

245,883 

Total. 


3,669,133 

Difference between the Crude and the 


Kefined included in the shipments “ 

117,937 

Total. 


3,787,070 

Total in 1867. 

a 

2,968,366 


Of the shipments to other points about 50,000 bar¬ 
rels were moved to Baltimore, 50,000 to Buffalo, 40,000 
to Erie, 40,000 to Syracuse, 45,000 to refineries in the 
interior of New York and Pennsylvania, and about 21,- 
000, mostly refined, to points west of Cleveland. 

The annexed table shows the total amount of re¬ 
fined included in the above shipment, and about to . 
what points it was moved, and also the total shipment 
of refined in 1867 : 

To New York.bbls. 175,203 

Philadelphia. “ 93,660 

Boston. “ 11,110 

Other points. “ 72,560 

Total in 1868. bbls. 352,533 

Total in 1867. “ 223,865 

STOCKS ON HAND IN THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE 
JANUARY 1, 1868 AND 1869. 

The stock of Petroleum in the United States on 





















GENERAL RESULTS. 


G05 


January 1, 1869, according to the closest estimates we 
have been able to obtain, was 780,000 barrels of crude 
or its equivalent, against about 1,000,000 barrels at the 
same date in 1868, showing a reduction during the year 
of a little over 200,000 barrels. The foregoing applies 
to oil produced in Pennsylvania, and does not include 
a stock of about 50,000 barrels on hand in West Vir¬ 
ginia and Ohio on January 1, 1868, and one of about 
10,000 or 15,000 barrels in the same States on the 1st 
inst. 

The annexed table shows the stocks on hand on the 
first day of January, 1868 and 1869 : 




1869. 

1868. 

In New York. 

bbls. 

75,233 

91,000 

Pittsburgh. 

u 

225,000 

100,000 

Philadelphia. 

u 

60,793 

111,304 

Cleveland. 

u 

100,000 

46,000 

Boston and Baltimore.. 

a 

20,000 

20,000 

Erie, Corry, and Buffalo 

, “ 

5,000 

25,000 

Oil Regions. 

u 

264,805 

554,600 

On Railroads and Alle- 




gheny River. 

u 

30,000 

50,000 

Total . 

bbls. 

780,831 

997,904 


In making out our estimate for last year, the stock 
at Pittsburgh was set down at 75,000 barrels, but by 
later advices Ave learned that it was fully 100,000 bar¬ 
rels. In the same estimate we did not include the 
amounts en route by river and railroads from the pro¬ 
ducing region to the principal home markets, which, 
then, was 50,000 barrels. 

We compile the following account of stocks in, and 
amounts afloat for, all European ports, from the cir¬ 
culars of John H. Schulken, Petroleum Broker, Bremen ; 
Mordaunt Brothers, London, and others. The figures 











606 


PETROLIA. 


relating to the seven ports first named and to Genoa 
and Trieste are considered reliable, but to all others 
they are but approximations : 


In Bremen. 

bbls. about 

88,000 

Afloat. 

a 


Antwerp. 

u 

53,000 

Afloat. 

a 

28,000 

Hamburg. . 

u 

35,000 

Afloat... 

a 

5,000 

Rotterdam. 

a 

13,555 

Afloat. 

a 

14,570 

Stettin. 

u 

9,523 

Afloat, . 

u 


London. 

a 

12,816 

Afloat. 

a 

3,380 

Liverpool. 

u 

12,700 

Afloat. 

u 

10,169 

Outports of the United King- 



dom. 

a 

5,000 

Afloat. 

u 

3,437 

Havre. 

u 

10,000 

Afloat. 

ti 

1,563 

Marseilles. 

a 

26,750 

Afloat. . 

* u 

7,027 

Genoa... 

u 

20,168 

Afloat. 

a 

10,000 

Trieste. 

a 

5,000 

Afloat. 

a 


Other European ports. 

it 

40,090 

Afloat. 

u 

25,000 

Total stock and amounts afloat 



January 1, 1869.bbls. about 

439,668 

Same January 1, 1868. 

a 

607,911 


Nearly all of the above amounts are refined, and 
after reducing the stock on hand in the United States 
to that article, the stocks of refined January 1, 1868, 
and January 1, 1869, compare as follows: 

































GENERAL RESULTS. 


607 


In the United States, January 

1, 1868.bids. 665,270 

In, and afloat for Europe, Jan¬ 
uary 1, 1868. “ 607,911 

Total.bbls. 1,273,181 

In the United States, January 

uary 1, 1869. “ 520,588 

In, and afloat for Europe, Jan¬ 
uary 1, 1869. “ 439,668 

Total.bbls. 960,256 

Decrease on January 1, 1869 “ 312,925 

Allowing 27,000 barrels of refined for the decrease 
in the stock in Western Virginia and Ohio, the total 
decrease in the United States and Europe was about 
340,000 barrels, or a crude equivalent of about 450,000 
barrels. 


CONSUMPTION IN 1868. 

The consumption in the United States in 1868 of oil 
produced in Pennsylvania, as ascertained by deducting 
the exports of crude and refined from the amount pro¬ 
duced, and allowing for the decrease in stocks during 
the year, was about 1,250,000 barrels of crude. But 
these figures do not represent the entire consumption, 
as there was produced in Western Virginia and Ohio 
300 barrels of light oil per day, which was consumed 
together with about 40,000 barrels of the stock held in 
those States at the beginning of the year. With the 
addition of these amounts the total consumption of 
crude produced in all parts, is made about 1,420,000 bar¬ 
rels. The annexed table will better illustrate the man¬ 
ner in which the above result has been obtained. The 
export has been brought to a crude equivalent, and the 
barrels are rated at forty-three gallons. 











608 


Production in 1868 
Exported in 1868.. 


PETROLIA. 


bbls. 3,715,741 
“ 2,680,630 


Leaving for home use.bbls. 1,035,111 

Stock January 1, 1868... .bbls. 997,004 
“ “ “ 1869.... “ 780,831 

Add decrease on January 1,1869, bbls. 217,073 

Total consumption of Pennsylvania 

Oil during 1868. “ 1,252,184 

Production of West Virginia and 


Ohio, about. “ 125,000 

Decrease in stock to same States, 

about. “ 40,000 


Total consumption in United 

States crude.bbls. 1,417,184 

We are without reliable data as to the consumption 
in 1867, but from what we know of the increase during 
last year in two or three States, from the shipments 
to them from this region, we judge that it has been in 
the aggregate at least twenty per cent. 

From Europe we have statements of the amounts 
of refined taken for consumption from seven of the 
most important ports during 1866, 1867, and 1868. 
These statements are from the circulars of Joh. H. 
Schulken, Bremen; Mordaunt Brothers, London, and 
Laird & Adamson, Liverpool, and are as follows : 


Deliveries in 


1866. 

1867. 

1868. 

From Bremen. 


108,336 

180,840 

280,756 

Antwerp.... 

a 

278,927 

340,898 

339,790 

Kotterdam.. 

ll 

• 

37,500 

80,000 

145,245 

Hamburg..., 

u 

67,655 

83,041 

139,679 

Stettin. 

u 

19,000 

49,500 

84,827 

London. 

u 

99,906 

94,036 

88,270 

Liverpool... 

u 

62,118 

63,211 

5 ,236 

Total... 


674,472 

892,126 

1,118,863 






















GENERAL RESULTS. 


009 


The above shows an increase of fully thirty-two per 
cent, in the consumption of 1867 over that of 1866, and 
of twenty-five per cent, in 1868. In London and Liver¬ 
pool the consumption of refined fell off during 1867 and 
1868 on account of the introduction of naphtha, and of 
an increased production of shale oil. But in the other 
European ports the proportion of naphtha imported 
was smaller, and shale oil did not enter so largely into 
competition in them with Petroleum as it did in Lon¬ 
don and Liverpool, and, therefore, the increase in con¬ 
sumption in the five ports first named above, may be 
considered a criterion of the increase in Northern Eu¬ 
rope. The increase in the deliveries from the ports 
referred to was about forty-three per cent, greater in 
1867 than in the preceding year, and a little over thirty- 
three per cent, greater in 1868 than in 1867. The to¬ 
tal amounts of refined delivered from these ports 
were: 


In 1866.bbls. 511,848 

1867 . “ 734,879 

1868 . “ 979,357 


In Southern Europe the increase was large, and 
from Genoa the deliveries reached over 100 per cent, 
more than in 1867. We have not been informed as to 
the amounts taken for consumption from the remaining 
European ports, but from the greatly enlarged exports 
to them we infer that the increase over 1867 must have 
been from thirty to thirty-five per cent., making the in¬ 
crease in the whole of Europe about thirty-five per 
cent. As will be seen by the above statement of de¬ 
liveries from the ports of Antwerp, Bremen, Rotter¬ 
dam, Hamburg, and Stettin, those of 1868 show an in¬ 
crease of about ninety-five per cent, over 1866.” 





610 


PETROLIA. 


The foregoing details include the leading points 
from which the reader can get a clear comprehension 
of the extent of all branches of the business. 

EXPORTS OF PETROLEUM. 

The following table will show the exports for the 
last seven calendar years from the United States, with 
the several places of destination of the shipments from 
New York: 


EXPORTS OF CRUDE AND REFINED (INCLUDING NAPIITHA &C.), FROM NEW YORK FOR THE YEARS 1868, 

1867, 1866, 1865, 1864, 1863, 1862. 


GENERAL RESULTS. 


611 





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6,720,273 

1,071,100 

2,800,978 

175,100 

120,250 

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614 


PETROLLA. 


The amount of capital invested in the various 
branches of the business can only be approximated. 
From the best estimates the total amount is not less 
than $75,000,000 to $100,000,000. This estimate in¬ 
cludes the oil lands, but the latter are averaged at a 
reduction from the values of 1864 and 1865. The 
foreign investment, of tanks, warehouses, <fcc., we have 
no means of ascertaining. 

The two centres for refining Petroleum are Pitts¬ 
burgh and Cleveland. In point of capacity and amount 
of refined produced and shipped, Pittsburgh is but 
slightly in excess. The value of refineries in each 
place are nearly equal in amount, and the capital re¬ 
quired varies but little. No reliable detailed record 
has been kept in Cleveland of the general business. 
We take the following able report on the Pittsburgh 
Petroleum trade for four years, from the Pittsburgh 
Commercial of Jan. 1st, 1869. 

OIL TRADE OF PITTSBURGH. 

At present there are forty-eight refineries in opera¬ 
tion more or less of the time. These refineries have a 
capacity to turn out 37,000 barrels per week of refined 
oil, requiring about 55,000 barrels of crude. This, at 
forty-two gallons to the barrel, would amount to 80,- 
808,000 gallons refined per year, or, as will be seen 
from the annexed figures of exports, from all ports of 
the United States, within 1,600,000 gallons of the entire 
amount of refined sent abroad the past year. As it is, 
our refineries have the capacity to turn out 1,924,000 
barrels per year. 

The capital invested in these refineries, independent 
of the immense capital all the time locked up in oil, is 
estimated at $7,500,000. The amount invested in the 


GENERAL RESULTS. 


615 


works and in barrels, tanks, boats, and other properties 
necessary to the prosecution of the business, would 
swell the aggregate capital to over $20,000,000. 

The amount on hand January 1, 1869, of all kinds 
is estimated at 200,000 barrels in crude. 

The following official table exhibits the amount of 
oil in barrels, forwarded over the Pennsylvania Central 
Railroad, Eastward, for the periods named: 


616 


PETROLIA 


“ REPORT OF THE NUMBER OF BARRELS OF OIL FORWARDED OVER THE 
PENNSYLVANIA CENTRAL RAILROAD DURING THE YEARS 1868, 


1867, 1866, 1865, and 1864. 


Months. 

1868. 

From Pittsburgh Proper. 

From Line of A. 

road. 

V. Rail- 

Grand 

Total. 


Refined. 

Crude. 

Total. 

Refined. 

Crude. 

Total. 

January. 

2,710 

347 

3,057 

18,093 

717 

18,809 

21,866 

February. 

1,008 

454 

1,462 

19,076 

50 

19,126 

20,588 

March. 

3,974 

1,321 

5,295 

22,272 

• • • • 

22,272 

27,567 

April. 

5,949 

1,226 

7,175 

32,038 

1,160 

33,198 

40,373 

May. 

20,148 

230 

20,378 

50,311 

818 

51,129 

71.507 

June. 

21,130 

971 

22,101 

59,902 

1,426 

61.328 

83,429 

July. 

21,723 

896 

22,619 

55,283 

6,531 

61,814 

84.433 

August. 

18,623 

402 

19.025 

66,177 

666 

66,843 

85,868 

September ... 

21,485 

10 

21,495 

65,718 

763 

66,481 

87,976 

October. 

15,318 

403 

15,721 

70,741 

693 

71,434 

87,155 

November. 

11,919 

711 

12,630 

56,524 

5,900 

62,424 

75,054 

December. 

14,003 

730 

14,733 

51,309 

4,311 

55,620 

70,353 

Total barrels.. 

157,990 

7,701 

165,691 

567,443 

23,035 

590,478 

756,109 


1867. 


Months. 

From Pittsburgh Proper. 1 

From Line of A. 

road. 

Y. Rail- 

Grand 

Total. 


Refined. 

Crude. 

Total. 

Refined. 

Crude 

Total. 

January.. 

6,841 

2,300 

9,141 

18,390 

790 

19,180 

28,321 

February. 

2,467 

1,616 

4,083 

11,647 

295 

11,942 

16,025 

March. 

5,072 

2,824 

7,893 

23,786 

303 

24,088 

31,984 

April. 

15,172 

3,220 

18,392 

42,430 

305 

42.735 

61,127 

May. 

20,216 

1,324 

21,540 

48,280 

272 

48,552 

70,092 

J urie. 

11,423 

420 

11,843 

34,539 

220 

34,759 

46,602 

July. 

20.300 

203 

20,503 

69,292 

383 

69,675 

90,173 

August. 

9,269 

864 

10,133 

34,886 

1,373 

36,259 

46,392 

September .... 

19,385 

335 

19,720 

38,514 

455 

38,969 

58,689 

October. 

12,953 

852 

13,805 

46,435 

. 231 

46,666 

60,471 

November. 

15,778 

680 

13,458 

35,717 

423 

36,140 

49,598 

December..'... 

9,402 

252 

9,654 

10,854 

539 

11,423 

21,077 

Total barrels.. 

145,278 

1 14,890 

160,168 

414,800 

5,588 

420,3S8 

580,556 


1866. 


Months. 

From Pittsburgh Proper. 

From Line of A. 
road. 

Y. Rail- 

Grand 

Total. 

Refined. 

Crude. 

Total. 

Refined. 

Crude. 

Total. 

January. 

9,756 

9,815 

19,571 

32,396 

2,780 

35,176 

54,747 

February. 

4,245 

5,073 

9,318 

8,567 

881 

9,448 

18,766 

March. 

4,565 

15,914 

20,479 

8,483 

613 

9,096 

29,575 

Ax>ril. 

3,175 

30,559 

43,734 

22,287 

958 

23,245 

56,979 

May. 

14,010 

26,275 

40,285 

40,016 

863 

40,879 

81,164 

June. 

18,852 

22,533 

41,385 

42,235 

2,882 

45,117 

86,502 

July. 

17,713 

5,322 

23,035 

28,630 

1,301 

39,931 

62,966 

August. 

20,330 

7,052 

27,382 

52,540 

1,487 

54,027 

81,409 

September.... 

19,358 

7,741 

27,099 

47,540 

2,987 

50,527 

77,626 

October. 

20,337 

12,039 

32,376 

49,555 

2,141 

51,696 

84,072 

November. 

15.591 

11,539 

27,130 

50,948 

1,283 

52,181 

79,311 

December. 

12,087 

5,976 

18,063 

42,264 

181 

42,445 

60,508 

Total barrels.. 

160,019 

159,838 

319,857 

| 435,461 

18,307 

453,768 

773,625 









































































































































gz^zzal results. 


017 


lirCITLi 

1165. 

BSi 


TicL. 

Treat. 

Jbaurr.. 


AZsSl 

f(biZUT........».„..„. ........ 

j-ys 


Mxr-i. 

M>TS& 


Air*. 

:3_&i 

SELSTL 

Mjt. 

IL3T1 

Hnio 

Jsnu ... 

-S*.~17 

sr.rTT 

fKT..... 

J*jiS 

tniis 

Ains. 

7UH0 

30-JTi 


n.i”s 

fS.iTI 

... 

—i —'7 


V: t V 1 -....... 

90.30 

■£AA;6 

iNayg'g. 

3B.Aoa 

43J6T 

T 3tal 'OUTr -*. 

ffiLlB 

5&CS1 


ZZcrrise ifliCS IfZ* 

IVsrma if Bi3 f-:n IS-x 
I zjiTina iflf'S i .'er X565- 
Liere«ee i£l^:i rIS:*4. 


.I~5.,Ttt larr^Ia. 
. I* 436 laTTElS. 
.11.5-i.* Zinri-j. 
H: -ASS ’mi. 


The entire exports fired ah. posts in the Unite*! 
States in 156" and 1565, ~ere as thllows: 

The exports of 1567 wns : 


O: refined. 
Of cm ie.. 
O: benzine 


- -: : , : - 
5.262.562 
1.777.300 


Total..mils- 07.050.196 


The export ot 15c 5 was : 


Of iefiKd. 
Of erode.. 
0: benzine 


52 351.524 
5.771.590 


Total.-.gills. 95 . 533 . 9 o 6 

Increase of total export.47 4-10 per cent. 

Increase o: excoct ot refined i.cne .-37 1—10 per cent. 

The total production. as given i>y the Ttnsviile 
U r \ which is accepted as authority, wxs : 








































618 


PETROLIA. 


In the year 1868.bbls. 3,715,741 

Total production in the year 1867.. . “ 3,320,345 

Excess in production.bbls. 395,396 

Equal to.11 9-10 per cent. 

We exported 22,345,190 gallons re¬ 


fined oil more in 1868 than 1867, 
at 42 gallons to the barrel, 532,- 


028 barrels, or reduced to crude, bbls. 798,042 
We exported 2,508,271 gallons crude, 

at 42 gallons to the barrel. “ 59,721 


Excess of export in crude.. bbls. 857,763 
Deducting excess of production. “ 395,366 


Leaves a deficiency in home stocks 

of (crude). bbls. 462,367 


Caused by export alone. In this estimate we have 
r ot taken into account the oil consumed at home, 
which, from the best information we can obtain, we 
are led to believe, has considerably increased since 
1867.” 

The receipts by river for seven years, ending Decem¬ 
ber 31, 1865, according to a report made by the Pitts¬ 
burgh Mining and Manufacturing Journal , were as 
follows: 


Years. 

Barrels. 

Av. price of Crude. 

Values. 


1859.. 

7,037 

ft 

ft 



ft 


I860.. 

. 17,16! 




1861.. 

. 94,102 

2 75 

258,780 

50 

1862.. 

. 171,774 

1 75 

300,604 

50 

1863.. 

. 175,181 

3 87 

677,950 

37 

1864.. 

. 476,939 

10 25 

4,888,624 

75 

1865.. 

.1,200,000 

9 50 

11,400,000 

00 

T. 7y. 

.1,142,194 


$17,525,960 

12 


















GENERAL RESULTS. 


619 


From the returns of the collector of internal revenue 
for the district embracing Venango County, it appears 
that the Government received the following revenues 
from crude oil for the months indicated: 


April 

1865. 

• 

.$111,991 50 

May 

u 


June 

u 


July 

u 


August 

u 


September 

u 



$1,243,646 99 

The tax on refined during the same time in the dis¬ 
trict amounted to $700,000. The total tax on crude 
and refined, for the first six months of 1865, was $1,- 
738,095. For the whole year of 1865, was $2,897,032.- 
03. In 1863 the revenue derived was $649,062. In 
1864, $2,255,238.80. 

The statistics in the foregoing pages need no com¬ 
ment nor elucidation. The reader can speculate from 
them to the full extent of his inclination. We have 
endeavored in this work to confine ourself to a brief 
statement of facts, leaving the reader to make his own 
deductions and inferences. The home consumption 
for 1868 is estimated at forty per cent, of the entire 
production. From the best authorities had upon the 
subject this percentage will apply to each of the years 
since 1864, the increase keeping about even pace with 
the increase of the production. 

The workings of an average oil farm, under prac¬ 
tical management, is clearly illustrated in case of the 
Story farm, on Oil Creek. The farm consists of 500 
acres, and was purchased by the Columbia Oil Com¬ 
pany, of Pittsburgh, in 1861. It adjoins the Tarr, 
Blood, Central Petroleum, and Hyde & Egbert farms. 









620 


PETROLIA. 


The territory of the Story farm is no oetter in general 
respects for oil production than are those named. The 
success achieved by them is due in a great measure to 
the excellent practical management of the company. 
We disclaim any intention of partiality in the premises, 
and insert their report as the best we can find to illus¬ 
trate the details of oil production, its cost, and the 
accruing profits. The annual report to the company 
for 1868 is replete with invaluable details to all par¬ 
ties concerned in the business, and cannot fail to prove 
interesting to the general reader. We give the report 
as follows: 

SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COLUMBIA OIL 
COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PA. 

Office of the Columbia Oil Company, ) 
Pittsburgh, January 9, 1869. j 

The Board of Directors are gratified in being able 
to present to the Stockholders so favorable an exhibit 
of the affairs of the Company for the past year. 

By reference to tables of Production and Prices, it 
will be seen that both w r ere better than the previous 
year, the average daily production being 375 barrels, 
a gain of 75 barrels per day, and the average price per 
barrel $3.75, while the average price for the year end¬ 
ing 1867, was only $2.54. 

* * * * * 

A large portion of the land of the Company is yet 
undeveloped, and we have every reason to believe that 
this part of the farm will be as productive as that 
already developed. Two or three wells are constantly 
kept in process of drilling, and by that means the pro¬ 
duction, we confidently believe, can be kept up to at 
least what it has been for the last five years. 


GENEEAL EESULTS. 


621 


The extreme range of prices for oil sold was: 


In 1864.from $3.75 to $13.00 

“ 1865. “ 4.00“ 10.00 

“ 1866. “ 1.65“ 5.00 

“ 1867. “• 1.50“ 4.00 

“ 1868. “ 1.80“ 5.50 


The average price of oil, delivered, for semi-annual 
and yearly periods, as determined from the books of 
the company, is as follows : 


In 1864 

u 

In 1865 

u 

In 1866 
« 

In 1867 

u 

In 1868 

u 


for first six months, $6.42 
last “ “ 8.70 



for first six months, 6.64) 

last “ “ 5.87 ) 6,18 

for first six months, 4.20 I 

last “ “ 3.401 3,78 

for first six months, 2.02 ) 

last “ “ 2.80 \ 3 ' 54 

for first six months, 2.96 ) 

last “ “ 4.83 j ° 


It will be seen, on examination, that the increase in 
the expenses of the Company for the year 1868 is more 
apparent than real, as the following must be taken into 
consideration,—the depreciation for three years on 
wooden tankage and movables, amounting to $12,349.- 
20, was carried to profit and loss this year. Also, that 
as the Supreme Court decided against the Company in 
the appeal taken from the decision of the Superior 
Court at Harrisburg, in the matter of income and cap¬ 
ital tax, a balance of last year’s tax, with the cost of 
the suits, amounting to $2,010.20, was charged to profit 
and loss this year. The amount paid in taxes for the 
year 1868 was— 

















622 


PETKOLIA. 


Income Tax.$10,316.01 

Capital “. 14,950.00 

Balance from last year. 2,010.21 

State, County, School, and Poor tax on 

Story Farm. 1,125.00 


$28,401.22 


Also, the increased number of wells put down by 
the Company, eleven in number, ranging in depth 
from 542 to 797 feet, at a cost of $23,628.40. 

The amount expended on movable property and 
permanent improvements was as follows : 

For machinery, tools, pipe, materials, &c., $27,827.52. 

The amount of unavailable assets carried to profit 
and loss, was— 


Movables. $2,392.16 

Farm Fixtures. 180.64 

Tanks. 9,773.40 


$12,349.20 

The miscellanies, which included attorney’s fees, 
advertising, rent, stationery, printing, stamps, meetings, 
travelling expenses, &c., were less than for the three 
preceding years. They were— 


For 1864 
“ 1865 
“ 1866 
“ 1867 
“ 1868 


$3,102.07 

3,699.93 

4,692.27 

3,595.29 

3,307.08 


The amount paid in salaries to Secretary, Superin¬ 
tendent, Manager, Bookkeeper, and Messenger, was— 


$ 8,174.96 
12,523.14 


For 1864 
“ 1865 


















GENERAL RESULTS. 


623 


For I860.$10,642.29 

“ 1867. 8,841.98 

“ 1868. 8,425.32 

The special expenses incurred in producing oil were 
$84,364.30, or 61^- cents per barrel, as follows : 

Teams, feed, &c.$ 2,222.72 

Fuel. 9,978,86 

Regular labor. 60,013.52 

Materials, Seed Bags, Repairs, &c. 7,249.69 

Hauling, Freight, &c. 2,295.01 

Extra labor. 2,604.59 


$84,364.30 

The general expenses and losses amounted to $76,- 
111.22, or 55 \ cents per barrel, as follows: 

Miscellanies.$ 3,307.08 

Taxes... 28,401.22 

Salaries. 8,425.32 

Well Account. 23,628.40 

Depreciation, carried to profit and loss_ 12,349.20 


$76,111.22 

Making the whole cost $1.17 per barrel. 

The gross profit for the year 1868, as 
seen by the Treasurer’s Report, amounts 


to.$381,103.83 

Surplus from 1867. 61,288.53 


$442,392.38 


Dividends declared in 1868 : 

No. 29,. 75,000 

“ 30,.150,000 

“ 31,.100,000 


325,000.00 


Balance of gross profit 


$117,392.38 


























624 


PETROLIA. 


The cash in hands of the Treasurer and 


Superintendent on Dec. 31, was.. $83,884.03 

Oil sold and in process of delivery_ 26,018.50 

Cash accounts on the farm. 6,650.32 

Estimated available assets,. $116,552.85 

Against this we have liabilities amount¬ 
ing to. 30,565,85 

Leaving a balance of. $85,987.00 


The business of the Farm has been thoroughly sys¬ 
tematized, and is in the hands of experienced and faith¬ 
ful men, and we feel, all things considered, that we are 
entering upon a year of great promise. 

On behalf of the Board, 

D. A. STEWART, President. 


SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. 

Story Farm, January 4, 1869. 

To the President and Poctrcl of Directors of the Colum¬ 
bia Oil Company: 

Gentlemen :— An account of the operations on the 
Farm during 1868, is herewith respectfully submitted. 

In* the following statement will be found the aver¬ 
age daily yield of oil for the Company, during the past 
five years. The production of one Lease, in which the 
Company has three quarters of the working interest, 
is included in the amount of oil received from the Les- 


• 

• 

Received Daily 

Received Daily 

Total Daily 

From Lessees. 

From Co.’s Wells. 

Average for the Co. 

In 1864..334 bbls. 

. 53 bbls. 

. 387 bbls. 

1865..223 “ 

.160 “ 

. 383 “ 

1866..155 “ 

.190 “ 

. 345 “ 

1867.. 90 “ 

.213 “ 

. 303 “ 

1868.. 51 “ 

......323 “ 

. 374 “ 



















GENEEAL EESULTS. 


625 


The Company’s proportion of oil for 1868, was 137,- 
099 barrels; 18,735 of which were received from the 
Lessees. The production from wells owned exclusively 
by the Company, was 118,364 barrels, against 77,775 
the previous year; an increase of 40,589 barrels, or 52 
per cent. 

This and former reports give the production in bar¬ 
rels without reference to gallons, and in this way it ap¬ 
pears that the Company’s proportion of oil for 1868 was 
less, by 4,509 barrels, than in 1864, while in fact it was 
230,937 gallons greater than during any former year 
in the history of the Company. In 1864, the standard 
measure of oil on Oil Creek was 40 gallons; during the 
past two years it has been 43 gallons. 

In 1868, the Company’s proportion 
of oil was 137,099 bbls., of 43 
galls.=5,895,257 galls. 

In 1864, the Company’s production 
of oil was 141,608 bbls., of 40 
galls.=5,664,320 “ 

Making a difference in favor of 

1868 of. 230,937 galls. 

or 5,773 barrels of 40 gallons each. 

The production from the Company’s wells in 1868 


was made up as follows : 

From wells completed in 1865. 9,071 bbls. 

« “ “ “ 1866. 42,937 “ 

“ “ “ “ 1867. 37,212 “ 

“ “ “ “ 1868. 29,144 “ 


118,364 bbls. 

The wells drilled in 1865 are, with two exceptions, 
on the flat, where the territory was not properly pre¬ 
served. During 1866, and since then, our developments 
27 











626 


PETEOLIA. 


have been on the hill, where great care is taken to pro¬ 
tect the wells by locating them at least 300 feet apart. 
The beneficial results arising from this system are 
clearly seen in the above statement by the amount of 
oil produced last year from wells completed in 1866. 

All the Leases on the Farm have been forfeited to 
the Company, except Nos. 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 
21, and 33. Nos. 4, 10, 13, and 17 have been idle most 
of the year; the other Leases mentioned have been 
worked steadily. 

One well was drilled on each of the lots 9, 12, 13, 
and 21. The well on lot 9 was completed last Novem¬ 
ber, and is producing 12 barrels of oil per day. The 
other three producing no oil. 

The developments of the Company will compare 
favorably with former years. Eleven wells, averaging 
in depth 704 feet, were completed ; three of which 
were commenced the year previous. Five of these are 
producing oil, one is abandoned, four are being tested, 
and the remaining one has produced as high as 60 bar¬ 
rels of oil per day, but owing to temporary causes is 
not now in proper condition for pumping. 

Five of the wells were permanently cased, and the 
water shut off before drilling into the oil bearing rock. 
The expense of drilling a well on this plan is from $150 
to $200 greater than the ordinary way, not including 
the price of casing, but the advantages are incalculable. 

Owing to the increased amount of labor and material 
required to carry on the business of the Farm, the ex¬ 
penditures were greater than during the previous year. 
The wells of the Company are steadily increasing in 
number. At the close of the year we were pumping 
23, and for several months past have been pumping 
from 19 to 20. The average cost, per foot, of the 
eleven wells completed last year was 74 cents greater 


GENERAL RESULTS. 


627 


than of the eight wells drilled in 1867. This increase 
resulted from various causes. The timber used in our 
rigs was more expensive, gas was scarce part of the 
time, and wood and coal were required for fuel. Five 
of the wells were drilled to the depth necessary to shut 
off the water, 2 j- inches larger in diameter than any we 
put down during former years, and the average depth 
of the wells was 45 feet greater than the average depth 
of those drilled in 1867. 

Three fires occurred on the Farm during the year, 
by which two engine-houses, and one small tank, con¬ 
taining ten barrels of oil, were burned. Loss about 
$500. 

For ten months of the year we received from the 
wells a large amount of gas, which was used for fuel, 
but within the past two months has partially failed, 
requiring us to purchase much more than the usual 
amount of wood and coal. 

The substantial manner in which the Company’s 
rms are built, and the excellent condition of the en- 
gines used, enable us to pump the wells very regularly. 
For the past ten months, a number of stoppages oc¬ 
curred, on account of the frequent parting of tubing. 
The difficulty has been overcome by resting the tubing 
on the bottoms of the wells. 

The Company have on hand 29 engines; 24 are at 
pumping wells, 2 at rigs where we are ready to com¬ 
mence driving-pipes ; 1 is used in the machine shop, 
and the remaining two are being repaired. 

We are using 550 feet of 3|-inch, and 8,260 feet of 
2-inch pipe for leading oil; 13,111 feet of various sizes 
for water; and 10,885 feet for gas; all of which is 
buried sufficiently deep to prevent the frost from reach¬ 
ing it. 

The principal property of the Company on the Farm 
is embraced in the following list: 


628 


PETROLIA. 


10 Dwelling Houses, Office, and Furniture. 

29 Steam Engines, 2 Steam Pumps, and 2 Rotary Pumps. 

Macliinery and Tools for Machine and Blacksmith Shops. 

5 Sets of Drilling Tools, 5 Horses, 3 Wagons, and 2 Sleds. 

45 Wooden Tanks—capacity, 19,610 barrels. 

4 Iron Tanks:—capacity, 26,000 barrels. 

15,471 feet of Casing for wells. 

16,631 feet of Tubing for wells. 

34,541 feet of Pipe of various sizes. 

The Company’s developments for the past three 
years have been connfined almost exclusively to that 
portion of the land lying between the run and the Re¬ 
fining ravine Recently we erected two rigs north of 
the run leading toward Wood and Stevenson farms, in 
which direction lies about 130 acres of the undeveloped 
part of the Farm. This lot of ground, from its sur¬ 
roundings, cannot well prove otherwise than valuable 
for oil purposes. 

Very respectfully, yours, 

GEORGE BOULTON, Superintendent. 


GENERAL RESULTS 


629 


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Or-ocqoOc^ooop'Q 

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w ~IL 


H 

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o 


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c 3 3 p 

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630 


FETKOLIA 


II. TABLE OF DIVIDENDS. 


No. 

When Declared. 

Num¬ 
ber of 
Shares. 

Amount 

per 

Share. 

Capital. 

o> 

2 * 
» s 
Oh 

Amount 

of 

Each Divid’d. 

Amount 
Declared 
Each Year. 

1 

July 

8, 1863.... 

9,000 

$ 6 

00 

$ 192,000 

30 

$ 57,600 


2 

August 

12, “ .... 

ft 

5 

00 

tt 

25 

48.000 


3 

September 

9, “ .... 

tt 

5 

00 

ft 

25 

48,000 


4 

October 

14, “ .... 

tt 

10 

00 

tt 

50 

96,000— 

$ 249,600 

5 

January 

13,1864.... 

it 

5 

00 

it 

25 

48,000 


G 

April 

13, ‘* .... 

10,000 

7 

00 

200,000 

35 

70,000 


7 

May 

11, “ .... 

(f 

10 

00 

tt 

50 

100,000 


8 

June 

8, “ .... 

cc 

10 

00 

it 

50 

100,000 


9 

July 

13, “ .... 

50,000 

2 

50 

2,500,000 

5 

125,000 


10 

August 

10, “ .... 

tt 

2 

00 

tt 

4 

100,000 


11 

September, 

14, “ .... 

tt 

2 

50 

tt 

5 

125,000 


12 

October 

12, « .... 

tt 

1 

50 

it 

3 

75,000 


13 

November 

9, “ .... 

u 

2 

00 

it 

4 

100,000 


14 

December 

14, “ .... 

it 

2 

00 

it 

4 

100,000— 

— 943,000 

15 

January 

11,1865.... 

tt 

1 

00 

ii 

2 

50,000 


16 

March 

6, “ .... 

tt 

1 

50 

tt 

3 

75,000 


17 

April 

12, “ .... 

it 

1 

00 

ft 

2 

50,000 


18 

May 

10, “ .... 


1 

00 

tc 

2 

50,000 


19 

June 

14, “ .... 

tt 

1 

00 

tt 

2 

50,000 


20 

August 

9, « .... 

tt 

1 

00 

it 

2 

50,000 


21 

October 

11, “ .... 

tt 

1 

50 

tt 

3 

75,000 


22 

November 

8, “ .... 

tt 

1 

00 

it 

2 

50,000 


.23 

December 

13, “ .... 

ft 

1 

00 

ti 

2 

50,000— 

— 500,000 

24 

January 

10,1866.... 

tt 

1 

00 

it 

2 

50,000 


25 

July 

11, “ 

ii 

2 

00 

ti 

4 

100,000 


26 

October 

10, “ .... 


2 

00 

ft 

4 

100,000— 

— 250,000 

27 

July 

10,1867.... 

tt 


75 

tt 

1* 

37,500 


28 

October 

9, “ .... 

(i 

i 

50 

tt 

3 

75,000— 

— 112,500 

29 

January 

8,1868.... 

tt 

i 

50 

ti 

3 

75,000 


30 

July 

8, “ .... 

ti 

3 

00 

it 

6 

150,000 


31 

October 

14, “ .... 

tt 

o 

00 

tt 

4 

100,000— 

— 325,000 

32 

January 

13,1869.... 

tt 

2 

00 

tt 

4 


100,000 







- 



$2,480,100 


HI. TABLE OF EXPENSES. 

Shotting the total expenses and losses of the Company from 1863 to 
1868, inclusive , with the amount of taxes , the cost of wells, and 
the outlay in producing oil , for each year specifdd. 


Year 

Taxes. 

Wells. 

Oil. 

General. 

Yearly Total. 

1863. 

$ 3,479.99 

$ 19,046.60 

$ 4,890.14 

$ 17,690.21 

$ 45.106.94 

1864. 

44,790.21 

8,224.14 

34,840.65 

32.680.28 

120,535.28 

1S65. 

158,691.73 

40,794.45 

74,935.12 

37,641.79 

321.063.09 

1866. 

68,409.71 

22,093.10 

96,853.11 

41,377.47 

228,733.39 

1867. 

13,635.59 

12,132.50 

64,302.54 

19,805.37 

109,876.00 

1S68. 

28,401.22 

23,628.40 

84,364.30 

24,0S1.60 

160,475.52 


$317,408.45 

$134,919.19 

$360,185.86 

$173,276.72 

$985,790.52 






















































GENERAL RESULTS 


631 


IV. TABLE OF DAILY PRODUCTION. 


Showing the average daily production, belonging to the Company, 
from all the ivells, during each month of the five preceding years. 


MONTH. 

1864. 

1865. 

1866. 

1867. 

1868. 

January. 

146 bbls. 

345 bbls. 

290 bbls. 

200 bbls. 

310 bbls. 

February. 

316 

it 

272 

it 

329 

a 

207 

it 

330 “ 

March. 

311 

tt 

329 

it 

276 

it 

212 

it 

353 “ 

April. 

521 

a 

230 

u 

263 

tt 

276 

it 

388 “ 

May. 

545 

<< 

348 

u 

317 

tt 

252 

it 

332 “ 

J une. 

509 

a 

392 

<4 

400 

it 

280 

it 

443 “ 

July. 

463 

a 

462 

it 

409 

it 

289 

it 

458 “ 

August. 

390 

a 

463 

a 

351 

it 

286 

a 

468 “ 

September.... 

365 

it 

444 

a 

402 

a 

393 

it 

379 “ 

October. 

330 

a 

493 

it 

337 

it 

351 

a 

353 “ 

November .... 

342 

u 

473 

u 

450 

a 

440 

it 

365 “ 

December. 

426 

it 

454 

tt 

284 

it 

441 

a 

315 “ 


V. TABLE OF ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL PRO¬ 
DUCTION. 


Showing the amount of oil produced for the Company, from our own 
and the Lessees' wells, for each annual and semi-annual period 
during the five preceding years. 


Annual and 
Semi-Annual Periods. 



First 

Last 

First 

Last 

First 


1SG5 } 



Last 

First 

Last 

First 

Last 


Half. 

tt 

u 


u 

(( 

tt 


a 

tt 


Total 


lessees’ 

WELLS. 

Half Y’rly 

Yearly. 

46,475 1 

51,720 ) 

98,177 

34,471 ) 
35,061 j 

69,532 

27,731 \ 
23,226 j 

50,957 

16,743 1 
13,500 j 

30,213 

12,084 1 

6,651 ; 

18,735 

267,644 

267,644 


COMPANY WELLS. 


Half Y’rly. 

Yearly. 

24,126 \ 
19,305 J 

43,431 

23,875 1 
46,384 j 

70,259 

29,668 \ 
45,163 j 

74,831 

26,526 \ 
53,836 j 

80,412 

53,250 \ 
65,114 j 

118,364 

387,297 

387,297 


TOTAL. 


Half Y’rly. 

Yearly. 

70,583 ) 

141,608 

71,025 S 
58,3461 


139,791 

81,445 j 

57,399 \ 

125,785 

68,389 j 


43,269 | 

110,655 

67,386 ) 

65,334 

137,099 

71,765 j 


651,941 

654,941 






































































VI. TABLE OF WELLS. 

SHOWING TIIE NUMBER, DEPTH, PRODUCTION, &C., OP ALL THE WELLS ON STORY FARM, DECEMBER 31^ 18G8. 


632 


FETROLIA. 


Total Production of the 
Farm. 


Q 

ta 

o 

i3 

Q 

o 

C3 

P< 


& 

O 

t/3 

iJ 

fS 

M 

53 

pa 

o 

P5 

w 

pa 

3 

fp 

55 


to 

W 

W 

H 

t-t 

Pi 

O 



r—' 


2 

H 

H 


c3 


o 

O 



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o 

h 


o 


H 

CD 

*D 


H 

H 



00 





•d 

05 


GO 



CD 

05 



© 

CO 

O 


O 

CO 

i— 


00 

H 

b* 

CO 


rH 



rH 

H 


1 



id 

»o 


O 

GO 

« 

O 

CO 

•(0 

co^ 

(M** 

»d 

b* 

N 

CD 

o' 

rH 


rH 



rH 





l— | 

00 


CO 

lO 

CM 

CO 

b* 


CO 

GO 

cT 

o 

id* 

©~ 

CD 

U0 

CM 


rH 



rH 





H I 



tO 


I- 

00 

05 




H 



CO 



00 

of 



CO 


ID 

CO 


rH 




rH 




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H 

oo 


h* 

h- 

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o 

b* 

CD 


CO 

CO 

00* 

o 

hT 

CM 

© 

rH 

H 


rH 



rH 


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CD 

CD 

s 

C5 

© 


CO 

© 

rH 

r— 



oo 

rH 

H 

l— 


CD 

00 

00 






CM 


<M 

CO 

§ 



8 


CO 

05 



05 


rH 

CO 






o 

o 



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CO 

00 



00 


CO 

© 



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rH 

CM 



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O 

CM 




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t- 


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H» 

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H 


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r- 










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CO 

CM 


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CO 

CD* 






rH 



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CD 

O 




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Hi 

CO 


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CO 

H 

CO 


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CO 

O 





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CO 



CO 


CO 

g 

05 

OO 


05 

1— 


CO 

CO 

© 

© 

t- 


b-^ 


H 

o 



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to 




,r*s 


CM 

CO 


o 


CO 

iD 



CM 


CO 

cT 






CD 



*- 



CD 

CM 




rH 

CO 

CO 

CO 

CO 


CD 


© 

H 


CO 


CD 

© 

CO 


8 


rH 



rH 


CO 

o 

© 

2 


Li 


CO 

© 

IH 


rH 


CO 

cT 



r —1 



t- 



b- 


• 

H 



H* 


<N 

o 



O 


CO 


• 


»o 


CO 

cT 



oT 


rH 

00 



CO 


rH 

o 

o 



o 


CO 




00 


CO 

© 

CM 



© 





CM 


Number of 
Completed Wells. 

115 

4 

55 

174 

Depth 

in 

Feet. 

1- iD iD 

CO CM ,H 

3 2 2 

OO 05 CO 

H* H« 

Com. 

p a n y ’ s 
Per Cent • 
age. 

Of Oil 
Produced. 

3 S § 

g °° 

Of Working 
Interest 

00 

75 

100 


























































































GENERAL RESULTS. 


633 


Pittsburgh;, December 31, 1868. 

To the President and Directors of the Columbia Oil 
Company: 

The accounts herewith submitted for your consid¬ 
eration, exhibit briefly the present resources and liabil¬ 
ities, together with the losses, expenses, and income of 
the Company for the past year. 

DAVID RICHEY, Treasurer. 


634 


PETROLIA 


RESOURCES. December 31, 


AVAILABLE. 


Cash in hands of Treasurer and Superin- 


tendent. 

Accounts Receivable. 

Oil on hand and partly delivered. 


$83,884.03 

6,650.32 

25,018.50 

$116,552.85 

UNAVAILABLE. 

Story Farm— 

N ominal value of land. 

Valuation of Buildings, January 

1868. 

Added during the year. 

1, 

$2,428,000.00 

$9,425.00 


Movables— 

Machinery, Tubing, &c., January 

1868. 

Added during the year. 

1, 

..27,827.52 



Carried to Profit and Loss. 

77,327.52 

$74,932.36 


Tanks— 

Carried to Profit and Loss. 

Fuel on hand. 

Lumber on hand. 

M. Graver. 

25,421.40 
.. 9,773.40 

$15,648.00 

600.00 

1,600.00 

1,200.00 

$2,531,405.30 




$2,647,958.25 


























GENERAL RESULTS 


635 


1868. 


LIABILITIES. 


REAL. 

Dividends uncalled for. 

Accounts Payable. 

UNREAL. 


$ 871.50 
29,694.35 


$30,565,85 


Capital Stock—50,000 Shares at $5o. 

Surplus profit from December 31, 1867.$61,288.53 

Net profit for 1868.381,103.83 


2,500,000.00 


Dividends No. 29, 30, and 31 


$442,392.36 

.325,000.00 


$117,392.36 


$2,017,392.36 


$2,647,958.21 


















63G 


PETROLIA 


EXPENSES AND LOSSES. December 31, 


Miscellanies— 

Attorney’s fees.$ 124.00 

Office Expenses, Rent, &c. 374.42 

Advertising, Printing. Stationery, and 

Papers. 424.66 

Telegrams, Stamps, and Postage...'... 531.54 

Travelling Expenses, Meetings, &c.... 1,852.46 


$ 3,307.08 


Taxes— 

County, State, School, and Poor tax 

on Story Farm. 1,125.00 

Balance due State Treasurer from 

1867. 2,010.21 

State Treasurer. 25,266.01 


Salaries— 

Paid Secretary, Superintendent, 
Manager, Bookkeeper and Mes¬ 
senger .. 


Well Account— 


Beam Well... 


Morrison. 

....772 

u 

Greeley. 

...758 

;< 

Blocker. 


a 

Hoffman. 


a 

Boulton. 

...797 

u 

Gratz. 


u 

Logan. 

...770 

a 

Say. 


a 

Sh river. 


ti 

No. 55. 


tt 


2,070.00 

1,582.00 

1.627.50 

1.737.50 
1,503.00 
2,480.00 
2,278.00 
3,240,00 
2,972.00 
2,322.40 
1,916.00 


Oil— 

Expense of Teams, Feed, &c. 2,222.72 

Fuel. 9,978.86 

Regular Labor. 60,013.52 

Materials, Seed Bags, Repairs, &c. 7,249.69 

Hauling, Freight, &c. 2,295.01 

Miscellanies. 2,604.50 


28,401.22 


8,425.32 


23,628.40 


84,364.30 


Movables. 

Farm Fixtures 
Tanks. 


2,395.16 

180.64 

9,773.40 


Net Profit — 

Surplus from 1867. 
Net profit for 1868 


61,288.53 

381,103.83 


442,392.36 


$602,867.88 























































GENERAL RESULTS 


637 


1868. GROSS INCOME OR PROFIT. 


Surplus from 1867.... 
Interest Account.... 
Rents on Story Farm 
Oil—137,099 barrels.., 


1,467.54 

1,127:41 

538,984.40 


61.2S8.53 


Total income on 137,099 barrels, 
at $3.95. 


541,579.35 
















638 


GENERAL RESULTS. 


The foregoing report gives in detail the best gen¬ 
eral information upon the topics embraced, that we 
could furnish the reader. 

Our work being issued at a later date than antici¬ 
pated, enables us to give a brief outline of the oil op¬ 
erations of 1869. Prices averaged $5.50 per barrel on 
the Creek, to date of September 1, being an increase 
over the same of 1868. The principal new develop¬ 
ment has been on Upper Cherry Tree Run, and Par¬ 
ker’s Landing, on the Lower Allegheny; those being 
the only localities where any considerable number of 
operators have congregated. At Parker’s Landing, 
considerable excitement prevails, almost equalling 
Pleasantville in 1868. The new operations, as a whole, 
have been scattering, embracing localities on the Up¬ 
per Allegheny, at Eagle Rock, and Tionesta, Cran¬ 
berry Township, near Oil City, and other points. The 
general features of the sandroeks in the new localities 
vary but slightly from those before described. 

Rapid progress has been made in the methods of 
drilling oil wells. The diameter has been increased 
with good results. The size being increased to the 
first sandrock, enables the operator to more success¬ 
fully shut off the surface water. So far the year has 
been a highly prosperous one to all classes, and no un¬ 
healthy excitements, like those of previous years, have 
occurred. 

From the sound basis attained, the prosperous fu¬ 
ture of the business is assured. Many of the old wells 
drilled in former years have been cleaned out and 
pumped this summer and approximated in yield to 
their former standard, giving ample proof that the sup¬ 
ply of no locality becomes entirely exhausted. The 
Clapp farm, adjoining Oil City, and the H. M‘Clintock 
farm, next above, are the most notable localities. Ar- 


GENERAL RESULTS. 


639 


rangements are being made to work old wells at other 
points, with good prospects of success. The new oil 
fields have been only moderate in production, as com¬ 
pared with those of previous years, while the general 
production shows a full average. The latter can be 
increased whenever the provocation of higher prices is 
furnished. 

Where so much depends upon the management, it 
is impossible to give the average cost of sinking and 
working the wells over so large an extent of territory. 
Approximation is the best that can be done. The ad¬ 
dition of from 100 to 300 per centum to the detailed 
cost of production, as given in the foregoing report, is 
as near as is necessary for all practical purposes, in a 
general average. 

The area of the oil producing, or what was consid¬ 
ered oil territory in 1862, consisted of from 3,000 to 
4,000 acres. Then operations were chiefly confined to 
the flat lands of the valley of Oil Creek. The success¬ 
ful development of the hills and elevated table lands 
during 1867 and 1868, has increased the amount of 
area susceptible of Petroleum development to nearly as 
many square miles, embracing large portions of Venan¬ 
go, Warren, Clarion, Armstrong, Butler, Mercer, and 
Crawford Counties. As yet the bulk of oil operating 
has been confined to Venango County, but in all the 
counties named evidences of Petroleum have been 
found, possessing the general characteristics of sand- 
rocks and quality of oil as found in Venango. The ex¬ 
tent of territory that will prove productive, can only 
be determined by the test of the miner’s drill. To go 
out of our own State, it is found in nearly all the other 
States, from the Alleghenies to the Gulf stream. The 
territory embraced in the several counties named is 
sufficient to supply all the needed wants for develop- 


640 


GENERAL RESULTS. 


ment for many years to come, and the held may be ex¬ 
tended to an almost indefinite extent. The supply 
yielded in 1808 has been sufficient for the wants of con¬ 
sumption, leaving no surplus, while the foreign demand 
for export has increased nearly forty per cent. In order to 
meet the demand it was found necessary to drill about 
1,000 wells in 1868, at a cost of quite $5,000,000. The 
necessity of a still larger production for 1869 to meet 
the foreign and home wants is clearly indicated. The 
old field will supply a large proportion of all that will 
be needed, while preparations have been made to de¬ 
velop new fields, far greater in area than any of former 
years, and giving as rich promise of abundant produc¬ 
tion. 

The experience of former years has been improved 
upon. The skill devoted to development has been more 
productive of successful results in 1868 than during 
any previous year. The proportion of “ dry holes ” 
during the same period, has not exceeded, we should 
judge, scarcely twenty per cent. In preceding years 
this per centum of successes was scarcely attained. It 
is fair to assume that fifty per cent, of the wells drilled 
and properly tested in any of the known producing 
localities, paid for cost of drilling and a handsome 
profit besides. A further improvement in the mode of 
oil operating in 1869 will not surely lessen these 
chances. Never before in any branch of mining has 
greater progress been made. Certain contingencies 
may, of course, greatly enhance or depress the chances 
for obtaining paying wells, but we can only give the 
experience of the past year as a criterion for the next 
one. The cost of the deep wells of the present day, 
owing to improved machinery, amount to no more com¬ 
paratively, than the former shallow ones. 

We have no desire to present inducements to any 


GENERAL RESULTS. 


641 


parties not thoroughly conversant with the subject, to 
make any investments in Petrolia. Taking the average 
through for the different years, the chances for attain¬ 
ing wealth or competence are no greater or less than 
is presented in any other general business. But the 
Petroleum possesses these manifest advantages over 
any other branch of business. No long years of busi¬ 
ness training are necessarily essential to success, nor is 
the same chance for realization offered in any branch 
of trade on so small an amount of capital invested, in so 
short a time. A fortune, a competence, and even the 
first million has often been obtained in a few months 
from date of first investment. What has been done 
is not impossible in the future, and the chances are 
equally as good now as at any previous time for the 
rapid realization of wealth. Something else is required 
beyond the cash capital to ensure success, for instance, 
untiring industry and perseverance. With the two 
latter qualifications, and a moderate cash capital, the. 
man who fails to achieve wealth or comfortable com¬ 
petence here, would in a majority of cases fail to do so 
any where else, or in any other business. The number 
of wealthy oil operators Avould be greatly increased 
were there any limits to human cupidity or greed. 
When a good well is obtained, the operator, in a large 
majority of cases, commences the drilling of new ones, 
in the immediate vicinity if possible, before realizing 
the full amount of investment, using the proceeds of the 
producing well to sink the new ones. It not unfre- 
quently happens that the producing well fails before 
the new ones are completed. In this case financial 
ruin becomes imminent, and the blame is laid upon any 
thing but the right source. A portion of the same ex¬ 
pense devoted to one producing well, would, we have 
no doubt, in a great number of cases yield a handsome 


642 


GENERAL RESULTS. 


return on the investment, and in any case would pre¬ 
vent the entire loss of the same. The fear of losing 
their oil when other parties commence the drilling of 
wells in close proximity, frequently causes even more 
prudent operators to drill one or more wells in order to 
prevent the others from diverting the current of oil 
from their own. We have no evidence that the life 
of any well has been prolonged by such means of pre¬ 
caution. In our own case we should prefer to take the 
chances on the first investment. 

The greatest drawback, in our opinion, to the en¬ 
tire business, is the want of a more permanent element 
among those engaged in the same. Although great 
improvement in this respect is manifest from year to 
year, still it is difficult to find many who are willing to 
admit that they intend to make any permanent stay in 
the Oil Region. From this reason, the same measures 
are not taken to build up comfortable homes, and peo¬ 
ple endure many abuses of public morality that would 
not be tolerated in older settlements. 

The most serious result occasioned by the lack of 
this element, so essential to lasting prosperity, is the 
want of concert of action upon matters vitally affecting 
the general interests of the trade. Designing men find 
but little difficulty in procuring by legislative enact¬ 
ments the most outrageous monopolies upon the indus¬ 
try of the operators. So flagrant has this become, that 
the oil producers are now engaged in the formation of 
an association for self-protection against this swindling 
class. Several efforts have been made by the Oil Pipe 
Companies, aided in some instances by the rival rail¬ 
roads of the Oil Region, to obtain a monopoly of the 
carrying trade, but so far the success has only been 
partial. The new association will doubtless give all 
these matters their attention in future. 


GENERAL RESULTS. 


643 


After repeated experiment it became evident to the 
General Government that any tax laid upon the crude 
material could only result in ruin to the business, and 
the excise duty upon crude Petroleum was very proper¬ 
ly repealed. Drilling for oil, so far as prosecuted, can 
be strictly termed experimental mining. There is j3er- 
liaps an absolute certainty of obtaining a given per¬ 
centage of paying wells, but the amount is liable to 
vary with both the season and locality. Again, the 
risk is—$5,000, on a decided uncertainty. The amount 
of supply is liable to vary so much as to make prices 
for the oil irregular at any and all seasons of the year. 
The prudent sagacious business man may doubtless 
wonder that people will embark their means in such an 
uncertain enterprise, and one subject to so many contin¬ 
gencies and fluctuations. Nothing strange in the mat¬ 
ter. The fact of the business being free from taxation 
is the chief inducement for investment in it. The ag¬ 
gregate of failures are not deemed to involve so great 
a loss as a burdensome tax. In order to procure the 
necessary capital for development, the business must 
be kept free, so far as the crude article is concerned, 
from any excise duty. The oil producing business, or 
in fact any other, cannot be made profitable, unless the 
consumer pays the tax. From the reasons above given 
it will be seen on reflection that this cannot be done at 
present as concerns Petroleum, while the producer can¬ 
not afford to be thus burdened unless he has a large 
flowing well, and of this class there are at present none 
in the Oil Region. 

The “ royalty,” as it is called, or share of the oil, 
demanded by the landowner or lessee for the privilege 
of drilling a well, varies according to the proved pro¬ 
ductiveness of the territory. The average at the pres¬ 
ent is from one fourth to three-eighths, and in some lo- 


GENERAL RESULTS. 


G44 

calities one half of all the oil obtained, the lessee being 
at the expense of drilling the well, pumping the same, 
and delivery at the well of the royalty or landowner’s 
share, free of expense. The amount of royalty could 
be lessened considerably, we think, with manifest bene¬ 
fit to all parties concerned. 

Associations of individuals or oil stock companies, 
have not been successful, save in a few exceptional 
cases. The success of Petroleum development will 
have to depend in the future as in the past upon indi¬ 
vidual enterprise. The amount of working capital re¬ 
quired to develope thoroughly even a few acres, is 
more than any joint stock company can afford, whose 
stockholders expect annual dividends. The aggrega¬ 
tion of skilled labor and energy required for successful 
development, cannot be congregated in any single lo¬ 
cality by inducements that a company could offer. 

The periodical excitements consequent upon the 
discovery of the different new oil fields, have been pro¬ 
ductive of much injury to the general business, causing 
operators to forsake the older localities to invest their 
means in the new, concentrating the general working 
capital at one locality to the detriment and neglect of 
all the rest, and enhancing the cost of operating to an 
almost ruinous figure. We had hoped that the ex¬ 
perience of Pitliole in 1865, would be sufficient for all 
succeeding time, but each subsequent year has had its 
sensation. But for these feverish, reckless excite¬ 
ments, the cost of development could be reduced one 
half. Pleasantville furnished the sensation for 1868. 
The favored locality for that of 1869 has not as yet 
been clearly indicated, but will doubtless be painfully 
apparent by the month of August next to many an un¬ 
lucky operator. 

The most reckless waste and extravagance has char- 


GENERAL RESULTS. 


045 


acterized the development, and, in fact, the general 
business, from its beginning. From many causes this 
waste was unavoidable. We should estimate the 
amount wasted, on a general average, fully one seventh 
of the entire production. With the present facilities 
of transportation and approved vessels for holding it 
secure from leakage and evaporation, the waste can 
be greatly lessened. The amount of loss now by trans¬ 
portation is but a trifle. The oil-pipe companies have 
a draw-back of only two per cent, on the oil transported 
by them from the wells to the shipping-points. The 
cost of fuel is becoming of chief importance to the oil 
operator. The gas from the wells is used for fuel 
whenever it can be obtained in sufficient quantity. But 
the supply is not permanent nor reliable. Oil can be 
used to advantage only when extremely low prices pre¬ 
vail. The entire average cost of running a well with 
coal for fuel will not exceed fifteen dollars per day. 
By the employment of the best apparatus for burning 
oil yet devised, it requires three to four barrels of oil 
for fuel each per diem. Many devices have been con¬ 
ceived for supplying the necessary motive power for 
pumping and drilling at a less cost of fuel. As yet 
nothing practical has been arrived at; but it will be. 

We have thus far accompanied the pioneer oil op¬ 
erator in his chequered journey. Occasionally he 
would be absent from us for a short interval, having 
made his “ pile,” and concluded to go out “ into 
America,” and take his ease for the balance of his 
earthly sojourn. But ease and indolence for him had 
lost their charm, and the ordinary channels of trade 
ran with too slow a current. One short year of such 
life has generally sufficed, and he came back and renewed 
operations with unabated energy. He commenced drill- 
in o’ his first well on Oil Creek about the time of 

<D 


64:6 


GENERAL RESULTS. 


Drake’s successful venture, “ kicking it down ” with a 
spring-pole, then selling interests to obtain a horse¬ 
power, and finally striking oil and wealth by means 
of an old rattle-trap of an engine. He was among the 
first to set up a derrick at Pithole, and afterward 
played his part well at Triumph Hill and Shamburg. 
Though deserted oil wells and lonely derricks beset 
him at every step, he is still as energetic and full of 
hope as ever. Whether a millionaire or without the 
means to procure a meal, he floats upon the seething 
bubbles of glorious successes and uncertainties like a, 
cork, and never loses his general bearings amid all the 
various changes of fortune to which he is subject. 

Last summer he was the possessor of some hun¬ 
dred barrel wells at Pleasantville, and at Shamburg. 
These having “ played out,” he is now prospecting for 
other fields to develop, and will be heard from in some 
new locality, “ eight hundred feet down with a good 
show,” ere the early roses bloom. 

With a rapidity of growth and extent of develop¬ 
ment never equalled, and possessed of resources vast 
beyond conception, it is difficult to imagine any but a 
brilliant future for the entire Petroleum Region and a 
business, that has added so largely to the already stu¬ 
pendous revenues derived by Pennsylvania from her 
rock-ribbed hills, studded with mineral wealth. 

In a few short years the development of the present 
day will seem like the distorted dream of a dyspeptic, 
the machinery now so ponderous to the sight, toy-like, 
and the language of the Scripture be literally fulfilled, 
‘ c And the rocks poured me out rivers of oil.” 


INDEX OF FARMS 




ALLEGHENY RIVER AND FRENCH 


CREEK. 

Name of Farms. page. 

Haliday. 196 

Nevins. 197 

Bastian. 200 

Lee. 200 

Moran. 201 

Piaget. 203 

Hickory Island. 204 

Hayes . 205 

Wilson, Shaffer & Ormsby... 206 

Huff.207 

Plowman. 208 

Neely. 208 

Milton. 209 

Bowser. .... 209 

Iloge Island. 210 

Martin & Epley Tract. 210 

Chambers. 211 

Franklin Borough. 212 

Booth. 214 

Fuller. 214 

Blakely. 215 

Hastings. 215 

Bissell & Stewart. 216 

Irvine. 216 

Cochran. 217 

Hoover. 218 

Harmon. 218 

Martin. 219 

Nicklin. 220 

Rice. 220 

Hoover. 221 

Pope. 222 


Name of Farms. page. 

Smith. 223 

Miller. 223 

Upper Two Mile Run. 223 

M‘Cormick. 224 

Dale.225 

Hayes. 226 

Bowman. 226 

Longwell. 227 

Sutley. 228 

Dubbs. 228 

Newell. 230 

Brown. 231 

M‘Elratli. * .231 

Brown. 232 

Roberts. 233 

Hayes. 234 

Blakely & Clark... 235 

Neely. 235 

Homan. 235 

Shot well. 236 

Russell. 237 

Homan. 237 

M‘Culmont. 237 

Frazier.237 

OIL CREEK VALLEY. 

Graff, Hasson. 238 

Clapp. 241 

Ham M‘Clintock. 243 

Buchanan Farms. 245 

J. M‘Clintock. 248 

Widow M'Clintock & Steele. 250 

Rynd. 252 

Blood. 254 




































































G48 


PETEOLIA 


NAME OP FAEMS. 

Tarr. 

Story . 

Hayes. 

Hyde & Egbert. 

G. W. H‘Clintock.... 

Stevenson. 

M‘Cray. 

Boyd. 

Lower M‘Elhenny.... 

Benninglioff. 

Espy. 

Upper H‘Elhenny.... 

Caldwell. 

Foster. 

Faarrel. 

Beaty. 

Gregg. 

Sanney. 

Shaffer. 

Miller. 

Fleming. 

Jones. 

I 

Henderson. 

Fleming. 

Stackpole. 

Shreve . 

Pott. 

Stackpole. 

Stackpole. 

Bissell. 

Conley. 

Griffin. 

Bissell. 

Watson Petroleum Co 

Kingsland. 

Watson Flats. 

Parker. 

Guild. 

Brewer. 

Patterson. 


PAGE. 

NAME OP FAEMS. 

PAGE. 

. . 256 

Skinner.. .. 

. 295 

.. 258 

Benninghoff Run. 

. 296 

.. 261 

Warner. 

. 298 

.. 263 

Weiss. 

. 299 

.. 264 

Widow Stevenson. 

. 299 

. . 266 

Wykle Run. 

. 300 

.. 26V 

Cherry Tree Run. 

. 300 

.. 268 

Tarr. 

. 301 

.. 268 

Ward. 

. 301 

.. 2V0 

Boyd. 

. 302 

.. 2V1 

Brown. 

. 302 

.. 272 

Sutley. 

. 303 

.. 273 

Black. 

. 303 

.. 274 

Dempsey. 

. 304 

. 275 

Mallory. 

. 304 

.. 277 

Baney. 

. 305 

, 278 

Pierson. 

. 305 

. 278 

Irwin. 

. ‘306 

.. 279 



.. 2S1 

CHERRY RUN. 


.. 283 

John M‘Clintock. 

. 808 

.. 284 

Knapp. 

. 309 

. 284 

Tolls. 

. 310 

.. 284 

Rynd. 

. 310 

.. 284 

Part of. 

. 312 

.. 285 

Smith. 

.. 313 

.. 285 

Cherry Run Petroleum Co.. 

. 314 

. 285 

Widow M‘Fate . 

. 315 


M‘Fatc. 

. 315 


Hogg. 

. 316 


Humboldt Petroleum Co.... 

. 316 


Lamb. 

. 317 


M‘Calmont. 


.. 288 

Prather. 



Prathers’. 

. 320 


Ricketts. 

. 321 


Stowcll. 



Iluidekoper. 

. 322 


Nevins. 

. 323 


Shaw. 

. 323 















































































INDEX OF FARMS 


649 


UPPER ALLEGHENY. 

NAME OF FARMS. PAGE. 

Downing. 324 

Graff, Hasson & Co. 324 

Siveriy. 325 

Clapp. 326 

Crammond. 327 

Alcorn. 327 

Alcorn. 328 

Downing. 329 

Eaker. 329 

Evans. 330 

Cary.331 

Lamb. 332 

Rennoff..332 

Blakely. 333 

Nellis.334 

Krotzer. 334 

Dille. 335 

Dotson. 335 

Barr.336 

Krotzer. 337 

Tolls. 337 

Conner. 338 

Ivintzler. 338 

Russell. 339 

MTate. 339 

M ‘Mahan.340 

Bruner. 341 

Lower Walnut Island. 342 

Middle and Upper Island.... 342 

Anderson. 343 

M‘Calmont. 344 

N. Y. Pbila. & Balt. Co.345 

Foster. 347 

Ileydrick.347 

Howe. 347 

Alexander. 348 

Ileydrick.348 

Shaffer. 349 

M'Calmont. 350 

28 


NAME OF FARMS. 

page. 

Armstrong. 


Henry. 


Culbertson. 


Culbertson. 


M‘Crea. 


Clapp. 


Harper. 


President. 


Elliott. 

.. 371 

PITHOLE CREEK. 


Caldwell. 


Shaw Tract. 

.. 359 

Shaw. 


M‘Kissick. 

.. 360 

Rickets. 

.. 361 

Prather. 

.. 362 

Lake. 


Balliett. 


Reynolds. 

. . 364 

Ricketts. 


Wood & Copeland. 

.. 364 

Blackmer. 

. 365 

Rooker. 


Holmden. 

. 367 

Hyner. 

. 371 

Copeland. 

. 372 

M‘Kinney. 

. 373 

Ball. 

. 374 

Dawson. 

. 375 

S. Blank. 

376 

J. Blank. 

. 377 

Haworth. 

. 377 

M‘Caslaw. 

. 378 

Stewart. 

. 379 

Haworth. 

. 379 

Conley. 

. 379 

Siggins J. 

. 380 

Pratt. 

. 380 

Van Wykle. 

. 380 



















































































PETEOLIA 


650 


NAME OF FARMS. PAGE. 

Tyrrell. 381 

Widow Holmden. 381 

Lyons. 382 

Clark. 383 

Steen. 383 

Turner.383 

Vose. 384 

Brumegin. 385 

Austin. 385 

Elliott. 386 

M‘Crea. 386 

Griffin.387 

M‘Calmont.387 

D. Smith. 3S8 

M‘Calmont. 389 

J. M‘Calmont. 389 

J. Brewer. 390 

Myres. 390 

Van Giesen... 390 

Sager. 391 

Van Giesen (heirs). 391 

J. S. M‘Calmont. 392 

Holeman, Alex. 392 

Holeman Island. 393 

Maple Islands. 393 

Keeler. 393 

Alex. Holeman, jr. 394 

J. M. Clapp. 394 

Pierson & Elder. 394 

D. Hunter.395 

Hunter (heirs).395 

Dustin. 396 

Watson.396 

Chas. Holeman.396 

M‘Clatchey. 397 

S. M‘Cray. 397 

Towner. 397 

Hilands. 398 

A. Dustin. 398 

Ilulings. 399 


NAME OF FARMS. PAGE. 

Shreeves. 399 

Watson, Jas. 400 

Hunter Island.400 

A. M‘Calmont.400 

M‘Calmont (heirs). 401 

Wm. Hunter.401 

May. 402 

May (heirs). 402 

G. S. Hunter.402 

M‘Calmont. 403 

Sowers. 403 

Ensign & Jamison.403 

Jamison. 404 

Jamison G. 404 

Johnson. 405 

Dale..405 

Dawson. 405 

Stave Factory Tract.406 

Gordon.406 

Green.407 

Sibbald. 40S 

Woolcott. 408 

Ball.409 

Bennett.409 

Riddles. 409 

Walter.410 

Richardson.410 

S. Hunter.410 

Prather. 411 

Hickory Village. 411 

J. Bull.412 

J. Green. 412 

G. S. Siggins.412 

J. C. Siggins. 413 

Fleming. 413 

Hawthorn.414 

Jones.414 

Scott. 414 

E. L. Jones. 414 

J. Jones. 415 




















































































INDEX OF FARMS 


651 


NAME OF FARMS. 

S. Smith. 

Prather. 

Brown. 

Alcorn. 

Hunter. 

Bozer. 

Kortman. 

Kortman, P. 

Dunn. 

Magee. 

Wm. Dale. 

M. Hunter. 

Richardson . 

Tipton. 

Cohell. 

Economy Oil Co.’s Lands.... 

Henry. 

Parshall. 

State Land. 

Tideoute Borough. 

M‘Guyr Run. 

Tideoute Creek. 

Gordon Run. 

East Hickory Creek. 

Manross.. 

White. 

Fleming, No. 1 sub. 

Fleming, No. 2 “. 

Fleming, No. 3 “. 

Fleming, No. 4 “ . 

Fleming, No. 5 “. 

Giles. 

Gorman. 

Miles. 

Gorman M. 

Walter. 

Barnes. 

Barnes & Church. 

Hatch. 

Jamison. 


NAME OF FARMS. PAGE. 

Tionesta Creek.437 

G. G. Sickles. 437 

Noble. 438 

Dale Bros.438 

Towner & Brett.438 

Keyser. 438 

Dale Bros. 438 

Dale Bros.438 

Dale & Bro.438 

D. Stow.438 

J. A. Dale.438 

John Noble.438 

Brett & Co. 438 

May Bros.438 

May Bros. 438 

Stow, Blakely.438 

Ilyner.439 

H. Pierson. 439 

Stephen Smith.439 

Tionesta Lumb. & Mining Co. 439 

Wm. White. 439 

A. Purdy. 439 

Harrington. 439 

Green & Gordon.439 

Stow, Wheeler & Co.439 

Johnson. 440 

Salmon Creek Pet. Co.440 

May.440 

W. W. Crook.!.441 

Dale & Irwin.441 

Hunter.441 

Little Tionesta Creek.442 

Edmonson & Sligo.442 

Proper. 442 

Stewart’s Run.443 

T. M‘Calmont.443 

J. S. M‘Calmont.443 

Taylor.443 

M‘Kinley.443 

Ileckard.443 


PAGE. 

, 415 

415 

415 

. 416 

416 

. 416 

417 

417 

. 417 

, 418 

. 418 

418 

418 

419 

421 

421 

423 

425 

426 

426 

427 

428 

429 

429 

430 

431 

432 

432 

433 

433 

433 

433 

434 

434 

434 

436 

436 

437 

437 

437 


















































































652 


PETJROLIA 


NAME OF FAEMS. PAGE. 

Fair.444 

Dawson .. 444 

Abbott.445 

M‘Kinley.445 

Wm. M‘Kinley. 446 

Range.446 

Dawson.446 

Green.446 

Johnson’s Run.447 

Johnson. 447 

Leedham.447 

Sugar Camp Run.449 

Yandine.449 

W. Willings.449 

Hoffman.449 

Youngs.450 

Switzer. 450 

Pine Run. 450 

J. S. H‘Calmont.450 

Brown Tract.450 

Thos. H‘Calmont. 450 

Tideoute.451 

Noble Tract. 452 

Triumph Oil Co.’s Lands.... 453 
Pittsburgh & Cherry Run 

Pet. Co. Tract. 459 

Shamburg Pet. Co.461 

Tallman.462 

Atkinson. 464 

Pleasantville.466 

S. Q. Brown, Bates & others. 470 

Brown Bros. Tract.471 

Holeman & Newkirk.471 

Brown & House .. .•. 472 

Tyrrell.472 

Porter. 473 

J. H. Jack. 473 

Hebert. 474 

Byles.474 

Beebe .. 475 


NAME OF FARMS. 

PAGE- 

Mill. 

. .. 476 

Ensign. 

... 476 

Gerow. 

. .. 476 

Marcy... 

... 477 

Drake. 

. .. 477 

Armstrong. 

. .. 477 

S. M. Dunham. 

... 477 

National Petroleum Co... 

. .. 478 

Lyle. 

.. . 479 

Valley of Oil Creek. 

... 480 

Woods. 

... 485 

Canusett. 

... 4S6 

John Pearson. 

... 486 

Hyde & Egbert. 

... 488 

Tarr. 

... 489 

Blood.. 

... 490 

John M‘Clintock. 

.. . 491 

A. & J. Buchanan. 

... 491 

II. M‘Clintock. 

... 492 

Cornplanter Tract. 

... 492 

Clapp. 

... 492 


OIL CITY AND YICINITY. 

Hickman. 493 

Lackawanna Oil Co.’s Tract.. 494 
Oil City Land Co.’s Tract.... 494 

SCRUBGRASS. 


M‘Millan. 498 

Belle Island.,.. 499 

Philadelphia & Boston Tet. 

Land Co.’s Lands. 500 

Tract No. 1. 500 

Foster. 501 

Foster’s Island.502 

Miller. 502 

Lewis, Bonsall & Co.’s Tract. 502 
Snider. 504 


Excelsior Oil Co.’s Tract.... 504 
Ogden Mining Co.’s Tract... 505 






































































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